Black Vernacular

There are few things that have an impact on everyday writing like issues concerning race, gender, class, or sexuality. These categories define us in ways that affect our everyday experiences. They can be negative, such as being a minority in a racist community, being gay almost anywhere, or being poor virtually anywhere. These definitions say so much about us, and also give us ammo to translate our experiences into everyday writing. The author uses phrases like 'racial apartheid' and 'po'folk'  to describe the trials of growing up in an area that left little opportunities for its future generations. However, while being raised under less than ideal circumstances creates hardships that can negatively affect someone's future, they often provide relevant and raw fodder for creating texts that carry meaning. I would argue that you write best and most poignantly when you are personally connected to the topic, especially if it is about words that are used by society to describe you.

Being disadvantaged in life can allow you to experience the world in ways that others do not normally see it. As the author describes her grandmother's shack, she pays special attention to the details of the architecture and other aspects of the neighborhood. Where someone who hails from the middle class may be more likely to see all houses less than their's as one, the perspective changes based on what you know. There are many different areas to draw inspiration for writing, but I contend that matters such as race, gender, class, or sexuality, will give the best results.