Do you know what? I am beginning to think I blurt out stupid things to people no matter who they are or what sex or race, and then wish I could just suck the words back into my mouth like soda through a straw.

I said a really dumb thing to a black co-worker, quoting something a black friend of my daughter's had said, jokingly, about her choice of name for her new son. I later thought of this site, which I recently found, and realized what I said was most likely inappropriate and stupid for me to have repeated to her, as I am Caucasian. I blush now as I think about it. I just pray she forgives me and forgets it real soon.

As I stated earlier, however, I have a tendency to open up and blurt foolish statements before thinking in lots of situations - to my boss, to my friend who is hurting, to my spouse. Sometimes it has nothing to do with anything except that we are all are human and do and say very stupid things.

Thanks for listening.

The obvious inference from statements like "Articulate", and "You Don't Act Black" is the persons surprise that the stereotype that they hold of what Black People are probably comes from not knowing any, only knowing one, or getting their views from T.V.

The beauty of statements like those is, they you immediately know who you are dealing with.

Unfortunately some people will always see race first, and the person second, and therefore will continue to say stupid things in an effort to overcompensate for how uncomfortable they really are.

Sometimes being "articulate" has nothing to do with proper language usage. Sometimes it just means that an idea was expressed clearly in a way that was meaningful and easily understood by the audience. My experience has shown me that being able to speak articulately - in this sense of the word - is NOT something that comes easily to everyone, all ethnic backgrounds. As an African American myself, I think we sometimes have a chip on our shoulder needlessly when others are trying to sincerely compliment us. Do we get this upset when another person of color says that we speak articulately? Just a thought...

I agree with Lisa D. I am impressed by anyone that succintly and clearly expresses a concept or idea. Regardless of age, race or gender if someone is articulate, then quite simply they are articulate. Anyone that can speak articulatly has had to work to develop that skill, race nor any other attribute provide an inherit advantage. People take courses all the time to work on and hone this skill. And in today's society in which it seems that speaking well is no longer a requirement, we should celebrate it more.

While I understand and appreciate the sensitivity noted in previous comments, I do tell white people when they make an articulate presentation or clear expression of ideas.

I am a communication professional, so I may feel differently than others do about this issue. In my view, most celebrities, political leaders and even media figures, who are paid to express themselves, do so poorly. Our popular culture overall is somewhat inarticulate. This seems equally true across race, gender, ethnic, class and age lines. Finding a person who cares enough to think first and then speak well seems to be the exception, and I'm always glad to know that person. When appropriate I do give positive feedback, since I know it takes work to make good self-expression sound effortless.

I have heard whites compliment each other on being articulate (mostly in work or academic settings); it is possible they don't use it much in front of blacks since they are uncertain whether it might cause offense.

There is a history behind the discomfort with this particular word and the thinking behind it. Acknowledging that, I hope we are moving to a time when people who appreciate sincere, clear communication between individuals will collaborate with, not offend, each other.