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"Trendy Slang Words"
"Trendy Slang Words"
Slang expressions are very popular, particularly with Gen Z, and some businesses utilize these phrases to advertise their goods and services. But what people frequently overlook while utilizing these "trendy slang terms" is the background of African American Vernacular English. Because these words have their roots in Black culture and community, they are not just common slang that people should use mindlessly.
❔ Now, you might find it a little confusing.
Every time a brand uses "popular slang", some people find it amusing! But using black culture and people to promote goods in an effort to appeal to audiences, mainly younger ones, when they don't really belong in the community, is not entertaining. In some countries, black culture is used as a method to advertise various goods (Marché).
Blackface and mammy figures were once used by corporations to promote their products to black people; now, some brands continue to do this by using AAVE or black culture for their own means (Marché).
An example of a brand that made use of an AAVE as an "Internet slang":
An example of a brand that made use of an AAVE as an "Internet slang":
Domino's Pizza: "pepperoni kisses on fleek" ?! 🤔
Domino's Pizza: "pepperoni kisses on fleek" ?! 🤔
https://twitter.com/dominos/status/605862973433737216?s=20&t=
The tweet is still up! Check it out ^
Domino's Pizza attempted to use African American Vernacular English in 2015. Their tweet, "Domino's is bae, pepperoni kisses on fleek #advertising #millennials #nailedit," was viewed as upsetting because the director head at the time was a white man. This brand's tweet is still live and may be found by searching on Twitter from their account. However, it does not end there. In 2019, an assistant manager racially discriminated against a location and refused to send a delivery man there at night because it was 'unsafe.' The brand's hypocrisy seems evident as they use AAVE while refusing to service the black community (Escobal).
However, it appears that some brands and businesses are catching on. They are initiating efforts to combat racial inequity and discrimination in the workplace, in addition to making remarks in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Blackness has to go beyond a trend; its history must be acknowledged. Brands should utilize their position and profile more consistently to advocate for a better, more equal society and to connect with blackness honestly.
Escobal, Lei D. “Without Black Leaders, Companies Shouldn’t Profit from AAVE.” The Diamondback, 6 Oct. 2021, https//dbknews.com/2021/10/06/corporations-aave-profit-performative/.
Marché, Patrick. “The Misappropriation of African-American English in Advertising.” Medium, Medium, 22 June
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