Evan Tsuei, Westmont College

AAVE has not only been stolen and absorbed into mainstream slang, but also used against the African American community in political rhetoric.

Drew Goretzka, Michigan State University

Although it’s often dismissed as unprofessional and inappropriate language, the fun and sometimes confusing lingo plays an important role in uniting — and dividing.

Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

The increased presence of celebrities on social media sometimes makes people think they are closer to their favorites than they are. This can have serious consequences.

Imani Benberry, Columbia University

The use of African American Vernacular English has become increasingly popular on social media, but ultimately, it exploits Black expression.

Tylah Silva, Emerson College

Understanding the cultural history of language is critical when deciding whether to bae or not to bae.