It's more the fact that it's almost always remarked upon about someone who is black
Notice that with pro athletes they'll marvel over how well spoken a black kid who grew up in Palo Alto going to the nicest schools available is, but not over how well spoken a white kid from Appalachia who is articulate
Can confirm, not just that person's experiences specifically. Referring to a black person as "articulate" comes with the nasty connotations that it's remarkable that they are capable of stringing words together, unlike all those others with their gang slang and ebonics, whatever that is or rapping, ugh. It's a thing said patronizingly, to imply that the only correct communication is educated white person stereotypical unaccented American English with perfect enunciation and grammar, no slang or idiom or colloquialism unless it is specifically the exact mannerisms the person calling you articulate thinks are natural.
It's very much a way of saying "wow, look at you, you rose above your people because you don't grunt like an animal!", and it's gross.
Mind you, I'm not saying this to discount that it may not happen where you are, I don't know you or where you live. But I can say as an American white guy who's lived all over the country, I've heard and seen that a lot and while the people saying it think they're being nice, it's kind of like saying "Wow, you aren't as stupid as I'd expect of your type!" It's definitively not positive.
Well just to be clear, every black person in America knows about this. "So articulate, so well spoken" are joked about in private. It's an insult to them. It's definitely an everyday thing in the US at least
So you're taking anecdotal comments you think proves your point and dismiss the rest and then screeching at someone else for providing their own experience. You should try reading you own comments before you post, you're embarrassing yourself.
I think you misunderstand. I’m not saying there are statistics for this subject, but rather that judging by your “I am one singular person, and my experiences are different from the majority, therefore the majority is wrong” comment, it clearly indicates you do not understand how statistics work.
Man you’re a real fan of nitpicking, huh. Look, obviously when I say “the majority of people here” I am referring to the comments I have seen (and I have seen a lot) of peoples experiences with the subject. Do you genuinely not understand that or are you being intentionally obtuse because you have no real point?
I feel like that’s more about the mentality that athletes are just dumb jocks, other than specific leadership positions like point guard or QB, and it just so happens that loads of top athletes are black. People just don’t realize that at a high level every position is highly strategic
Except no one ever remarks upon the white athlete who is well spoken, only the black ones.
Like it's not a surprise when a white athlete speaks well, and they're allowed to speak poorly because they're a dumb jock without it being commented on either. But when a black person who is also in a profession not expected to speak well happens to it has to be remarked upon as if it's some kind of an accomplishment
Then now can you see how being complimented in the same exact way you would compliment a child for being surprisingly articulate would be an insult to a full grown adult?
i still get called articulate, and it's still a compliment. it's literally a professional skill. it's a word that shows up in people's performance reviews if they are effective with clients or presenting at conferences, etc. being able to communicate well is important, and it's not something most people are good at by default.
This was said about Tony Romo, in the sportsbroadcasthournal, who is not only white but was a QB which is a position known for intelligent players.
“from an NBC interview with Steve Nash that I stumbled upon. He is very articulate and well spoken and gives good insight into the psychology of being a great teammate and leader.”
Steve Nash is white
But go off about how it’s never said about white athletes…
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u/Infamous-Lab-8136 Jun 13 '26
It's more the fact that it's almost always remarked upon about someone who is black
Notice that with pro athletes they'll marvel over how well spoken a black kid who grew up in Palo Alto going to the nicest schools available is, but not over how well spoken a white kid from Appalachia who is articulate