I’ve had my fair share of prejudice against non American/British english accents.
How can I not? Historically, a perfect British or American accent often carry a certain cachet and is synonymous with a higher level of education.
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But being ostracised over the way you speak is upsetting, especially when it has little to do with the content you’re trying to convey.
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I find it important to remind myself and people around me, that people can be highly accented and still be intelligible and comprehensible.
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I find it scary but worthwhile to dig into my subconsciousness - did I frown upon non American/British accents because I was taught it was academically the “right” way to speak, or did I take the white washing playbook into the marrow of my Asian bones to a point where I simply hate the fact I was born, Chinese, and I hate anyone who reminds me of that?
Maybe I fear my songs would be less valid if it was presented with a foreign accent?
By accepting the rules in this unequal play field, and altering my accent because of it, wouldn’t I be surrendering to everything I’m fighting against? The systematic oppression of non-whites, the inferiority complex most of us suffer from?
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I am well aware that ALL lives matter, and it is unfair to blame a certain race for history. For nobody can rewrite history, and who’s to say if the tables are turned, things would be better off ? Just opening up the floor for discussion, an invitation to self discovery, if you ever feel uncomfortable about certain norms and can’t quite put a finger on it, welcome to the club 🖤
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#accents #selflove #language #asianamericans #english #america #stereotypes #chimamandangoziadichie #prejudice #reflection
