We Gon' Be Alright: Notes On Race And Resegregation By Jeff Chang

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We Gon' Be Alright: Notes On Race And Resegregation By Jeff Chang
The term slang is used synonymously to describe colloquial language commonly used in informal writing. Colloquial language is important in writing because it creates a conversational tone in the writing. Colloquial language is the everyday spoken languages used in writing to present a relaxed and casual way of trying to achieve informality when discussing sensitive topics. Slang is a common method used by writers to show impertinent behavior that the seems to be embedded in our society.
The purpose of this research paper what slang is and how it is used to show why slang deviates from standard language when discussing sensitive topics, in reference to Jeff Chang's article We Gon' Be Alright: Notes On Race And Resegregation. Slang serves several purposes, this paper present how Chang use slang to identify himself by members of specific groups, change the level of his discussion towards informality to oppose establishment.
What is slang?
The term slang can be traced back to Scandinavia, it's a term used to describe a narrow piece of land that goes between larger pieces of land to show free movement (Rezaei 6). In language, the term slang is used in casual interaction to show some form of identity or oppose authority in a non-threatening manner (Rezaei 8). Many authors use slang while writing, it's not surprising to come across colloquial speeches in article and novels.
Slang has become more in speech and in writing, slang comprises of randomly altered words that are overstated, and at times can be forceful or facetious. In other words, slang is a writing style that use distorted words or altered words to attract the audience (Rezaei 8).
In one of the books, Slang And Sociability, the author describes slang as popular culture in college defining it as the ever-changing set of words and phrases the most speaker use as a strategy to either reinforce or establish a social identity within the society (Baines 16). Most definitions of slang word present the social aspects making it an important strategy in speech and in writings. Slang serves several purposes. This is to identify members of groups, change the levels of conversation to the direction of informality to oppose establishment (Baines 20).
The use of slang
Slang are words or a set of phrases used within informal arenas by specific groups of people. When we read articles or any other forms of literature, we can easily recognize slang as a common literary technique used by writers. Most contemporary writers use figurative words as a deliberate method to enhance their writing (Coleman 123). Slang words, also known as colloquial speech are some of the new methods writers used as the most comfortable style to express their sentiments (Coleman 129).
Writers are mostly influenced by the situation around them, the people around them and the place they belong. It becomes a common scenario that colloquial words are deliberately used to instill a sense of the reality of a situation (Coleman 131). Jeff Chang's article We Gon' Be Alright: Notes on Race and Resegregation in a good example of his expression of racial segregation in America. Chang shares his personal experience as an Asian American living in America to describe the artificial tension created by people (Chang 46).
Using his literary expression, Chang examines how racial segregation is fueled; Chang describes how people tend to react to crisis using flurry of words to spark cultural wars that ends up making racial discrimination a crisis cycle (Chang 54). Chang's choice of words makes him feel comfortable to challenge the authority as he analyzes the racial crisis cycle from a different perspective.
How Chang use slang to change the level of his discussion towards informality
Chang's title of his article We Gon' Be Alright, is meant to attract his audience to understand the negative effects of the increasing gap between races based on issues of policing, health, wealth, income and more so, the rise of segregation in housing and schooling (Chang 21).. In his article Chang tries to fulfill two purposes that is to identify himself with members of a specific social group and to use his language to change the level of conversation in the direction of informality as a way of opposing established authority.
When analyzing the topic "is diversity for white people" he points out how people in power have explored the idea of diversity to justify inequality, citing various individuals and events responsible for altering the term diversity. We Gon' Be Alright describes the country's deepening racial oppression and inequality that has been ignored as other races suffer in silence (Chang 78).
In modern literature like Jeff Chang article, slang is often used to exclude instead of promoting diversity. This can be true in the most case where the use of language serves specific groups of people making it less accessible to other people. However, modern literature is used to repel and attract the reader at the same time (Baines 431). For example, Chang uses colloquial phrases that have a more reaching effect. His choice of words provides in-depth insights when reviewing the article because it creates a connection between those oppressed and the oppressors (Baines 431)
Chang reviews the true meaning of diversity and how the original meaning is distorted, rendering diversity to become meaningless. Using the words like "The In-Betweens," "surging back" and "hypersegregated" he expresses his disappointment in the government (Chang 85). Apart from just sharing his experience, colloquial language and slang in his work enhance the reader experience.
Chang's colloquial description of diversity enables readers to understand why he questions if diversity is for white people. Chang believes that the shift in diversity initiative has been misused by those in power. Instead of providing access to power for people of color, those in leadership positions look at diversity as a profit-making venture, this explains the widespread resegregation and racial crisis in America today (Chang 79).
According to, (Coleman 119). Using of slang is more of a negotiation the author use between him and the audience. Because the author wants to convey something with the use of slang which he believes the audience will acknowledge. Readers are able to see the little effort made by the government in eliminating racial segregation that has existed and keeps on deteriorating. Chang presents his resentment towards the government through his choice of words when describing the increasing gap between races based on issues of policing, health, wealth, income and more so, the rise of segregation in housing and schooling in America today.
Chang’s language reveals the deliberate cause of cultural wars, terming it's as a permanent fog. He uses the term fog to refer to racism whereby the leader repeats the spectacle of fire affecting every generation. Chang wants readers to see the negative effects of racial inequality as a cycle of crisis that is responsible for making the country to be more segregated than ever. Jeff Chang effectively uses slang in We Gon' Be Alright to present various accounts of decades of struggles, questioning equity and diversity, wondering if diversity is meant for White people (Chang 104).
Slang is used as a strategy to change the levels of formality from being more serio...