African-American Rhetoric author Steven Carlino

African-Americans have a unique history in terms of their interrelations with people of other races and that of their own race. African-American rhetoric is no different in that sense. The language and dialogue of the African-American has taken on a distinct duality. This duality is not apparent on the surface, but closer observation will lend insight. The duality can be comprehended with an investigation of African-American communications styles and of influential rhetors.

Charles Stewart’s essay related to the rhetoric of the militant black leader Stokley Carmichael revolves around the unrealistic dreams of a perfect social order. Frustration by new generations of activists and rhetors, changed the face of civil rights rhetoric during the 1960's. In Stewart’s essay he points out one of the main features that made Stokley Carmichael an effective speaker. "Carmichael was a master of adapting language and materials to each audience. Before predominantly white, college student audiences, he might read one of his essays. Both language and manner would be sophisticated and scholarly and, as a university graduate he was one of them. Before predominantly black, non-college student audiences, he would employ a hip-style of the in-group, speak with a southern accent, and select materials well-suited to their experiences." (Stewart, 435) Stewart also points out the difficulty a rhetor has in the midst of a social movement. The rhetor has to construct a reality that differs from the status quo, and have a message that "rings true," with the audience.

Mark Orbe’s essay and study of African-American male communication patterns is a unique research experiment and survey. I personally have witnessed the different language patterns and communication differences that take place. Reading Orbe’s essay I could parallel the experience of my high school best friend Jon Fletcher, an African-American born in raised in rural Oklahoma. While growing up in Oklahoma, Jon did not have access to communication with other African-Americans and suffered accordingly. Later when Jon was forced to have relationships with other blacks he had trouble adjusting. It was not that Jon felt that he was white, he just had a difficult time identifying and understanding the pressures and problems of his fellow African-Americans.

Orbe sets forth six themes of black communication patterns. My friend Jon is an interesting case study of black communication styles in a reverse pattern. Learning how to interact with Non-African Americans was not difficult for Jon. His trial and error process occurred with whites, not with blacks. His communication styles were learned through white friends and classmates. In this sense he had an inverted process of learning the black communication style.

Orbe entitles one of his six themes, "Playing The Part," this is a theme that Jon learned in reverse. Once thrown into the mix, of relating to other blacks I witnessed Jon’s attitudes and language change after a couple of years. He might refer to me as his friend or buddy, but a black acquaintance was his "hommie," or his "boy." Orbe states that, "playing the part," involves abandoning the communication styles of the African-American community and adopting those associated with the dominant European American culture. (Orbe, 292) Although Jon had only been close friends with non African-Americans for many years, I progressively witnessed him withdraw from his relations with whites, as he began to "keep a safe distance." Ultimately he would have few white friends and many African-American friends. Although white students never avoided contact with Jon, he would later say, "you (white’s in general) can’t relate or understand how others treat me or look at me." In the end I believe that Jon felt what Orbe calls, "an intense social responsibility." Jon felt that he had been limited access to other African-Americans. When Jon matured and realized the discrimination and racism he would face later in life he decided it was important to attempt to relate more to his own race. As an epilogue to this story, I recently spent some time with Jon. He is still the same great person I once knew, but he has embraced his black heritage and his black communication style.

The Reverend Jesse Jackson is the premier African-American rhetor today and is one of the black community’s outspoken advocate. The secret to Jackson’s success though lies in his ability to reach out not only to the black community but to every American. Jackson’s "Rainbow Coalition," has for years worked to link America’s societal problems together. To Jackson, poverty, drugs, and violence are not just black problems, but "our" problems, America’s problems. Jackson’s rhetoric is a powerful political tool. Just like Carmichael, Jackson varies his speeches to suit his audience, black or white. In a recent trip to Southeastern Ohio and Ohio University, Jackson spoke of the prosperous times and economic boom being experienced in the United States. One of Jackson’s major tenets is the eradication of poverty throughout the country. He understands that poverty is not just an African-American affliction or an "inner-city" affliction, it is also a problem here in rural Appalachia. "A boom for whom," Jackson stated, as he underlaid the problems belittling this region. He won over the support and hearts of the white population here in Southeastern Ohio.

The duality of black communication styles is a topic we have dealt with not only in the readings but also through presentations and class discussion. We have found that African-Americans have distinctive and different patterns of communication inside their own racial boundaries and also outside of their own racial boundaries.