Eli+AE’s+Final+AmEx+2013+Speech

The Elevation of Language

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It was an uncomfortably warm night. Restaurants illuminated their “open” signs while old men softly entertained people walking by with smooth jazz on the sidewalk. It was the usual activity downtown. There was a man, probably around 19 years old, and he seemed to be waiting for someone. He dressed with class and wore sunglasses even though it was 8:00 at night. Suddenly, a small car pulled to the side and the door slowly opened. Out stepped the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She wore a long purple dress with her brunette hair in a bun. She was flawless. She was an angel. She smiled and approached the man while slightly gripping her dress. I admired her character and saw the way they looked at each other. The man took one step forward, kissed her, and said “damn bitch you look fine.” Damn bitch you look fine. Those words closed my mouth. I was stunned. How could those be the “oh-so-brilliant” words that this man could have chosen to describe his spouse? He was a tarnished monster. I wanted to release the words: “Hello miss, your attire looks incredulously superb this evening”; but no, apparently she looks “fine”. The frustration inside of me was to powerful so I retrieved a Popsicle and scurried away to the smooth jazz. America was a nation born with the desire for education. That knowledge has carried us through the English language, teaching us to show class when we speak. In the past Americans have portrayed their personalities through etiquette and appropriate kindness, but in this modern era, individuals kill the richness of grammar. And it all starts with “damn bitch you look fine”. When I grow up, I want to see a world where people elevate their language. Dinner. A time of necessity to gather as a family and share thoughts over a simple meal, is sadly sacked in this generation. In the past there used to be a sweet call saying, “Supper is prepared” but now in this generation it seems as though everyone gets drunk off of food. There is no call. There is no sweet little bell. There is a human crawling on the ground and with the laziest voice demanding, “I’m hungry,” and the person gobbles up 7 taquitos. Today, dinner isn’t a necessity; it is referred to as just “food”. There is no etiquette to dining nowadays. There is no “thank you mother for this delicious meal, I shall feast again at dawn”. There is only muttered groan, and a tweet to how full you are. However, the production of a meal isn’t the only synthesis required. Music is the main cause to this pandemic. I don’t mind if most of the music in this world isn’t appropriate; however, I don’t want future generations walking around like a fool with their pants on the ground while shouting “hell yeah swag”; I want to see a world that pulls their belt tight and steps onto the universe with valid vocabulary. Many people know the song “Rack City” by Tyga… what a lovely song. Instead of kissing a mate’s hand and commenting about their appearance nicely, “rack city bitch” has taught young teenagers the words to a simple compliment. Another song, “How to Love” by Lil Wayne, depicts an emotional story until the rapper suggests that he wants a girl to be “poppin bottles and dippin, at the bar strippin”. Lil Wayne obviously does not know how to love so therefore he will need to ask Sergio. First, this is how I want to see the elevation of language: “Greetings Miss, you look exquisite tonight. May we dine?” Keeping the statement classy is all a simple conversation needs to survive, and sadly that’s not happening with adolescents. When was the last time a “babe” was referred too as a gentleman or lady? In this society we don’t have those people anymore. We have young hipsters who use their language through Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. They demand iPhones so they can say Omg and Lol to laugh at the past. Look up and away. Step away from manipulating music and bandwagon technology because the world is HD also. Use the proper communication so the next generation doesn’t follow the pathetic verbs and adjectives. Potato Potahto, so what? So what? I want my children to grow up with as much class as possible. I don’t want the world to grumble, I want the world to say thank you. I want the world to say “hello, may I take your hand to present this dance” and not “hey turn around” while ‘dancing’. I want the world to say “I bid you farewell” and not “aight later brah”. I don’t want to hear “sucks to suck” but “I am sorry for your misfortune sir”. I am precarious for the future but I will make assumptions based on the logic of hope for the salvation of modern day English. My friends, I thank you.

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