1) socio-economic
2) fear of loss of cultural identity.

When someone tries to diminish you for speaking proper english or ‘acting white’ it is because they are usually from a socio-economic background that has not allowed them any real-world exposure outside of their own socio-geographic space.

Anyone at all who has had the opportunity to interact with the larger society in a formalized manner, via a professional working relationship or through higher education would never see this as a failing. They would understand that proper usage is simply something that must be done to succeed.

And as someone pointed out above, this is not confined to the black community. There are cultural aspects as well. Language is a huge cultural signifier. In 2010, The US gov’t changed it’s classification of who can be identified as Latino/Hispanic based not of geography (as it had been informally done in the past) but rather by linguistic signifier. There is the fear that assimilating into the larger culture not only through intermarriage but also by adopting language would also mean a loss of identity.

The fact of he matter is, you need to consider the source. When someone makes that accusation it is coming from a place of profound ignorance.

On a somewhat related note: can we please, please, please, please retire the term ‘ebonics’? I find that term profoundly disturbing because it has a ton of negative baggage. Not a single linguistic nor anthropological association has accepted it a true descriptive linguistic categorization. Since it came in vogue in the mid-90s, it has been adopted as a term that separatists use to shore up their beliefs that blacks are fundamentally different from whites.

Even worse I believe that the same blacks who would jeer at you for ‘acting white’ would themselves latch onto it as an their own excuse for not needing to learn proper english. It gives them the belief that there is an actual, accepted separate language that is sanctioned for usage by blacks.

Like you, Karen, I feel completely ridiculous if I try and speak patois. Although, saying that, when I’m with my family my accent turns more Jamaican.

I’ve never had this accusation levelled at me, although I’ve been asked if I call myself black or white (pasty skin, you see).

I hate reading books or watching films where all the dialogue is “black”. Just don’t relate. The Cosby Show portrayed a black family who spoke well. There was nothing (as far as I know) about them not being black enough.

Rambling on as usual – any of this make sense?

Apparently, trying to speak properly means taking on airs, stepping above one’s station–trying to be ‘white’

Arrant stupidity, if you ask me.

Just because someone is articulate , educated and intelligent? I have never understood this.

I too have been accused of “acting white”. I think it’s an issue of class. There’s this mindset out there that there are no class distinctions amongst black people. Or at least that there shouldn’t be. I’ve always been surprised by this. No one is surprised that upper class whites don’t sound and act like the cast of Honey Boo Boo, but apparently all blacks are supposed to be “straight out of Compton.” As always I call bullshit. I have distinctly working class roots, but my parents tolerated no foolishness period, especially as it pertained to school and grades. I was called ugly names and bullied all through school, but I realize now that it was a class issue, though for the longest time I thought it was a black thing and wondered why I was so different.