African-American language use: Ideology and so-called obscenity
Arthur K. Spears · 2021
This chapter is about what has been perceived as obscene language. As author indicate below, he prefer to use the term uncensored speech in order not to prejudge the actions of the users of such speech. His wish not to prejudge is not the result of unreflexive liberal humanism; rather, it reflects one of the major conclusions presented below, namely, in many cases, rigorous analysis of form, meaning, and communicative behavior is required before one can pass judgment on the speech of members of communities other than one&s;s own, where the term community membership is determined by age, socioeconomic class, ethnicity, gender, and other variables. It is not true that all African Americans use uncensored speech. Some do not. It is not true that all Whites use uncensored speech. Empirical research alone will tell him how many African Americans – and Whites as well as others – do or do not use uncensored speech.