ABSTRACT
This chapter challenges the “national mania for correctness” and negative attitudes towards Black Language and its speakers, illustrating with stunning displays of language creativity from Don L. Lee, Sonia Sanchez, and other Black Arts poets. The chapter describes a high emotional debate at a community meeting about Black “E-lights” who don’t speak and/or put down Black Language. Several people at the meeting call out the author for the contradiction of arguing for the legitimacy of Black Language while speaking Whitestream language. This marks the historical moment where the author begins developing her signature Black Linguistic style, now deployed in speeches and scholarly articles. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the significance of fighting the language wars with the help of white allies and accomplices.
