ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

African American Vernacular English

African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is a way of speaking that some Black people in America use. It's like a special language that they share with each other.

AAVE has some differences from the English that you might learn in school. For example, instead of saying "I am going to the store," someone might say "I'm finna head to the store." Or instead of saying "He is running," someone might say "He be runnin'."

Some people think that AAVE is "incorrect" or "bad" English, but that's not true! It's just a different way of speaking that developed over time because of the history and culture of Black communities in America.

In fact, AAVE is a very important part of Black culture and identity. It's a way for Black people to communicate with each other and to express themselves in a way that reflects their experiences and history.

So, there's nothing wrong with speaking AAVE! Just like there's nothing wrong with speaking other languages or dialects. It's all about respecting and appreciating different cultures and ways of speaking.