Poet speaks out on why culturally appropriating black slang is the worst

At the 2016 Women of the World Poetry Slam in Brooklyn, New York, poet Taylor Steele took on the controversial topic in a performance of her poem “AAVE” (which stands for “African-American Vernacular English”).

In the video above which was published by Button Poetry, the poet says:

“Tiffany takes a selfie, middle finger salute. Captions: ‘Ghetto thug bitch in the building,’” Steele recited. “Roger fist bumps his good pal mark with an old-fashioned, ‘Later, nigga.’”

“Amanda says ‘it’s lit,’ and a million hands snap in Z formation,” Steele said. “I say ‘it’s lit,’ and I find myself burning at the stake.”

It’s a short but powerful poem about history, ownership and the cultural significance (and pain) that’s often attached to the way black people speak to one another. Huff Post added.

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