And I know about educated AA, some of whom, unfortunately again, try too hard not to be seen as the average AA (and i understand, given the very hostile environment they find themselves in (ie all AA).

Another point: Have you considered that the term “white trash” is it self derogatory to the rest of non-white? How so? Trash should be trash, right? But no, a white cannot be trash, so if you find a white fella who is being a disgrace to their folks, and should be trash, still dignify him/her by qualifying the trashness to be not so bad, hence “white trash”. Think about it for 59 seconds, and you should get my point.

I call for a misuse of a term here. Obama is both articulate (was this ever in question with a Harvard education, Pundit?) and more importantly, eloquent. The operative term for Obama ought to be eloquent. Rarely do you meet people who can speak to the masses, personalize a message and simplify it ; all at once. Eloquence is unique in people from all races. Now that as an observation would not be offensive.

The Boulder Colorado project, it’s awesome. I just showed this to a colleague of mine who is retiring next week, he’s applying at 67 years. Good luck to him!

Mimmz, I get what you are saying about the fact that Obama is indeed articulate by Oxford Dictionary standards, the problem is that when most white people use that term in reference to a black person there’s an element of surprise behind it. Almost as if it’s such an accomplishment for you to be able to speak well. For instance, my former white classmates at HLS would never have it pointed out to them that they are articulate (and they were), but I’d get it all the time.

I’d love to see the Boulder Colorado project be replicated in Kenya. KP

(ii)Now, here is a case of the possibility of throwing the baby out with the bath water: Now people will be wondering whether what they hear is a genuine compliment or not.

(iii)What do people expect? Is it not true that most AA stand out in the way they expression themselves (verbally or otherwise) and that their chosen mode is different than the norm? American loves conformity (which society does not?), hence Obama’s standing out for his brand of conformity.

(iiib)Unfortunately for our AA friends, they are caught in a catch 22 situation: To make it in corporate/political Americ, you need to conform to system expectations, but this goes against one’s being, considering their past history with the white man!

(iv) Are we not all impatient with communication we cannot understand well (i.e. does not conform to our speech expectations?) Most americans get frustrated with the customer service centers in India, just because they think those guys do nto speak well.

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Sarah & Acolyte: I heard it enough times. It’s not a compliment - it’s a subtle way of saying ” you don’t talk like an African American”