--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being black and speaking properly are not…" description: "\"Being black and speaking properly are not mutually exclusive. My father was an African, and he spoke beautifully at home. Nelson Mandela speaks beautif..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/franklyn-ajaye-20029_backwards_being-black-and-speaking-properly-are-no_2955365.jpg" --- # Being black and speaking properly are not mutually… ![“Being black and speaking properly are not mutually exclusive. My father was an African, and he spoke beautifully at home. Nelson Mandela speaks beautifully. Should Mandela put his hat on backwards and say, 'Yo, homey, this is Nelson. Yo, Winnie, yo, this is def'?” quote by Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/franklyn-ajaye-20029_backwards_being-black-and-speaking-properly-are-no_2955365.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/franklyn-ajaye-20029_backwards_being-black-and-speaking-properly-are-no_2955365.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/franklyn-ajaye-20029_backwards_being-black-and-speaking-properly-are-no_2955365.jpg) > “Being black and speaking properly are not mutually exclusive. My father was an African, and he spoke beautifully at home. Nelson Mandela speaks beautifully. Should Mandela put his hat on backwards and say, 'Yo, homey, this is Nelson. Yo, Winnie, yo, this is def'?” [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote challenges the stereotype that proper speech and Black identity are incompatible, highlighting that eloquence exists across cultures. **In simple terms:** Black identity and proper speech can coexist. Key Takeaway Reject stereotypes about language and race. Themes identity language stereotypes culture representation Mood thoughtful challenging Type social cultural inspirational When to use this quote - Public speaking - educational settings - media interviews - cross‑cultural dialogue Key Concepts Sociolinguistics racial identity media representation Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape perceptions of race? - What examples defy linguistic stereotypes? A Different Perspective Stereotypes persist in media portrayals and casual conversation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Hats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hats/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) ## Related quotes > [They say LOVE is EVIL spell it backwards you will see,I say we LIVE under EVIL spell live backwards you will see...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joekha/they-say-love-is-evil-spell-it-backwards-you-will-see-i-say-we-live/) Joekha > [Bill Nelson has demonstrated that he is a rubber stamp for the Obama administration and he's out of touch with the solution that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-hasner/bill-nelson-has-demonstrated-that-he-is-a-rubber-stamp-for-the-obama/) [Adam Hasner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-hasner/) > [I was doing the Black Issue in 2006 and then went to Africa for Uomo Vogue. I've worked with Gucci and Fendi, committed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franca-sozzani/i-was-doing-the-black-issue-in-2006-and-then-went-to-africa-for-uomo/) [Franca Sozzani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franca-sozzani/) > [I'm inspired by people like Nelson Mandela. Can you imagine - you know how racist America was back then - imagine how racism was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-m-inspired-by-people-like-nelson-mandela-can-you-imagine-you-know/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Nelson Mandela is a leader Barack Obama should try to emulate... He could start by spending 27 years in prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-imus/nelson-mandela-is-a-leader-barack-obama-should-try-to-emulate-he/) [Don Imus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-imus/) > [In Durban, where I was born and grew up, and all over Africa, Nelson Mandela was a hero! Now he is a hero to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumi-naidoo/in-durban-where-i-was-born-and-grew-up-and-all-over-africa-nelson/) [Kumi Naidoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumi-naidoo/) > [Even here in America, we felt the cool, refreshing breeze of freedom when Nelson Mandela took the seat of Presidency in his country where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/even-here-in-america-we-felt-the-cool-refreshing-breeze-of-freedom/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I learned so much about recording and about singing on records from Ken Nelson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-jackson/i-learned-so-much-about-recording-and-about-singing-on-records-from/) [Wanda Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-jackson/) > [“Be strong, Nelson,” Colton said. “You can’t die. That’s an order.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sansbury-smith/be-strong-nelson-colton-said-you-can-t-die-that-s-an-order/) Nicholas Sansbury Smith > [The same things that we hurray and support in other places, like people like Nelson Mandela, our prisoners were doing the same thing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sekou-odinga/the-same-things-that-we-hurray-and-support-in-other-places-like/) [Sekou Odinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sekou-odinga/) > [“I want you to know, if you ever read this, there was a time when I would rather have had you by my side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-nelson/i-want-you-to-know-if-you-ever-read-this-there-was-a-time-when-i/) [Maggie Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-nelson/) > [I'm a huge fan of Maggie Nelson. If anyone can translate her work to the stage, it's Katie Mitchell and Margaret Perry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-d-arcy/i-m-a-huge-fan-of-maggie-nelson-if-anyone-can-translate-her-work-to/) [Emma D'Arcy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-d-arcy/) > [When I came to explain to them the 'Nelson Touch', it was like an electric shock. Some shed tears, all approved - 'It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horatio-nelson/when-i-came-to-explain-to-them-the-nelson-touch-it-was-like-an/) [Horatio Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horatio-nelson/) > [You might be a redneck if you have a picture of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, or Elvis over your fireplace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-foxworthy/you-might-be-a-redneck-if-you-have-a-picture-of-johnny-cash-willie/) [Jeff Foxworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-foxworthy/) > [“… ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself Ricky Nelson (Referring to creative works, not other things)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ya-can-t-please-everyone-so-ya-got-to-please-yourself-ricky-nelson/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Franklyn Ajaye > [You must study their deliveries, their use of their bodies, their timing, and their use of audio and vocal effects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/you-must-study-their-deliveries-their-use-of-their-bodies-their/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) > [I have no desire to be hip to the latest black slang and do the stereotypical black thing. I was a Richard Pryor fan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/i-have-no-desire-to-be-hip-to-the-latest-black-slang-and-do-the/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) > [Walking back and forth also helps by creating the illusion that you are thinking of the routines on the spot, giving your performance a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/walking-back-and-forth-also-helps-by-creating-the-illusion-that-you/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) > [Moving to Australia was not a career move, but a quality of life issue. It has no guns, no God, and no gangster rap.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/moving-to-australia-was-not-a-career-move-but-a-quality-of-life-issue/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) > [Evaluate every performance on: stage presence, concentration, delivery, material and lessons learned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/evaluate-every-performance-on-stage-presence-concentration-delivery/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) > [Originality is never embraced as quickly as the commonplace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/originality-is-never-embraced-as-quickly-as-the-commonplace/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) > [Obviously the audience has veto power signified by whether they laugh or not, but you-not them-retain the ultimate power to decide what they're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/obviously-the-audience-has-veto-power-signified-by-whether-they-laugh/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) > [This whole urban rap thing needs to be pulled back some. The ghetto is being glorified, and there's nothing good about the ghetto except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/this-whole-urban-rap-thing-needs-to-be-pulled-back-some-the-ghetto-is/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) > [Black people drink lots of beer. However, you won't see us skiing down a mountain for one, or see us diving for Frisbees on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/black-people-drink-lots-of-beer-however-you-won-t-see-us-skiing-down/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) > [Be prepared to cut your little extra lines that come after a big punchline and move on to the next joke or routine to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/be-prepared-to-cut-your-little-extra-lines-that-come-after-a-big/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) > [In addition to listening to the audience's laugh, you want to listen to their silence. Is it bored or interested silence? The silence is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/in-addition-to-listening-to-the-audience-s-laugh-you-want-to-listen/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) > [An aspiring comedian must be determined to get to his or her true feelings on a subject and convey that to the audience. Figure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/an-aspiring-comedian-must-be-determined-to-get-to-his-or-her-true/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) > [When I've mentioned things that I thought only happened to me, or thoughts that I felt had only had crossed my mind, the audience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/when-i-ve-mentioned-things-that-i-thought-only-happened-to-me-or/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) > [Bombing teaches you how badly you want to become a comedian. Because unless it's a burning desire, you'll quit when the consistent bombing becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/bombing-teaches-you-how-badly-you-want-to-become-a-comedian-because/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) > [On a good night, I'm just into the flow and seeing the pictures and words in my mind clearly before I say them. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/on-a-good-night-i-m-just-into-the-flow-and-seeing-the-pictures-and/) [Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) [Explore all 31 Franklyn Ajaye quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/) ## More Backwards quotes > [I'm just always looking forwards. I spend very little time, looking backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-vaynerchuk/i-m-just-always-looking-forwards-i-spend-very-little-time-looking/) [Gary Vaynerchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-vaynerchuk/) > [I wear T-shirts and backwards hats and buy my shoes at Payless!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaitlyn-bristowe/i-wear-t-shirts-and-backwards-hats-and-buy-my-shoes-at-payless/) [Kaitlyn Bristowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaitlyn-bristowe/) > [A historian is not always a prophet facing backwards, but a journalist is always someone who afterwards knew everything beforehand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/a-historian-is-not-always-a-prophet-facing-backwards-but-a-journalist/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Why don't you just imagine it never happened..??](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/effy-stonem/why-don-t-you-just-imagine-it-never-happened/) [Effy Stonem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/effy-stonem/) > [“It would seem no matter how progressive we get there are always those few who are backwards in their ways.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solange-nicole/it-would-seem-no-matter-how-progressive-we-get-there-are-always-those/) [Solange nicole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solange-nicole/) > [In the spiritual life, he who does not advance goes backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pio-of-pietrelcina/in-the-spiritual-life-he-who-does-not-advance-goes-backwards/) [Pio of Pietrelcina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pio-of-pietrelcina/) > [Now, success is not the result of making money; making money is the result of success - and success is in direct proportion to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-nightingale/now-success-is-not-the-result-of-making-money-making-money-is-the/) [Earl Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-nightingale/) > [Can anyone be so foolish as to believe that there are men whose feet are higher than their heads, or places where things may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lactantius/can-anyone-be-so-foolish-as-to-believe-that-there-are-men-whose-feet/) [Lactantius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lactantius/) > [I took a little break - I was coming back to work and the last thing I was going to do was take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-took-a-little-break-i-was-coming-back-to-work-and-the-last-thing-i/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [Only a fool walks into the future backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/only-a-fool-walks-into-the-future-backwards/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [We have different expectations for different groups of people. We tend to modulate the degree with which we're forgiving or punitive depending on how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hayes/we-have-different-expectations-for-different-groups-of-people-we-tend/) [Chris Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hayes/) > [You know what, if you play 'She Looks So Perfect' backwards... you just listen to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-hemmings/you-know-what-if-you-play-she-looks-so-perfect-backwards-you-just/) [Luke Hemmings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-hemmings/) > [Nursing is a progressive art such that to stand still is to go backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-nightingale/nursing-is-a-progressive-art-such-that-to-stand-still-is-to-go/) [Florence Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-nightingale/) > [“Just like backing out of the driveway… If the driveway was ten miles long, full of rocks and pits, with lethal radiation hovering above,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-thorman/just-like-backing-out-of-the-driveway-if-the-driveway-was-ten-miles/) [Daniel Thorman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-thorman/) > [We're not competitor obsessed, we're customer obsessed. We start with the customer and we work backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-bezos/we-re-not-competitor-obsessed-we-re-customer-obsessed-we-start-with/) [Jeff Bezos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-bezos/) Browse all 837 Backwards quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Being black and speaking properly are not mutually exclusive. My father was an African, and he spoke beautifully at home. Nelson Mandela speaks beautifully. Should Mandela put his hat on backwards and say, 'Yo, homey, this is Nelson. 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