AAVE & My Writing Style: Authenticity or Conformity?

I was speaking to a mentor of mine the other day about using my authentic voice when writing for my blog.

Authenticity has always been my goal, but recently there's been an impenetrable feeling of doubt surrounding it. Why?

I candidly expressed to her that, as a Black creative, authenticity can be scary. The primary reason being that my authentic voice is heavily comprised of African American Vernacular English (AAVE). So, when I'm speaking of so called "light" subjects like fashion and beauty, I have the inclination to let loose. I want to be myself when I write, but society has a way of making people of color feel ashamed of speaking in our dialects.

Society & AAVE

If you know, you know. AAVE is often described as "ghetto" and improper (more so now that it is being mistaken for Gen Z/TikTok lingo). These thoughts are normally held by those who don't understand or natively speak the dialect. Despite their complexities, writing with these colloquialisms can easily lead people to believe that I am uneducated. This is a major reason as to why I have not shared this blog on my LinkedIn profile.

But, Chasney, why do you care what these people think? I'll tell you why. My degree is in Communications and Technical Writing. It's easier for people to expect me to speak "properly," because I've been formally educated on the English language and its nuances.

I'm a good writer. I say this with humility, as I am no literary Picasso. However, writing will always speak for itself. I've written one hundred (or more, I've stopped counting) papers using perfect grammar, punctuation, and spelling. I've crafted the most eloquent of essays, dissecting incredibly complex concepts with originality and passion. I have the talent and potential, without question.

My Doubts

My insecurity stems at the thought that I could be perceived as the exact opposite due to the dialect used in my writing. Are my words now illegitimate and unimportant because they're unconventional? I fear the corporate and non-Black societal gaze entirely too much. Even in this article, you are able to see my change in tone and voice.

There's this concept that I like to call Black Versatility. Black people are able to conform to the societal standards of speaking and behaviorism as a means of survival and success.

A prime example of this can be seen in code switching. Nearly every person of color has this ability to switch to a more acceptable version of their native tongue while in professional settings. We are versatile, and we are forced to be malleable when it shouldn't be necessary. In this sense, Black Versatility can be both a good and bad thing.

So, here is the question at hand: should I write from a place of authenticity, or conformity? Will my authenticity be appreciated, or will it be scorned by the majority?

So, What?

I don't know! This is something that I'm still tackling. Hopefully, over time, you all will see me develop my true voice on this blog. This is a reminder that it's okay to be unsure! Embrace it, and trust God.

Note from "future" Chasney on December 3, 2025 (my 25th birthday): My "what" is that I am allowed to be BOTH. I am both structured and free. I am analytical and fun. I am Chasney, and, over the years, I've realized that to be yourself is a beautiful thing.

Faithful and Free,

Chasney