It was the first day of my freshman year at Hampton. As I sat in my 11:00am health class, each student stood up and introduced themselves with the typical Hampton Introduction (name, classification, major, hometown). While each student spoke, I internally coached myself by saying, “Don’t mess up LaGrone. Smile. Don’t talk too fast!” Before I knew it, it was my turn.
“Hello, my name is Des’Tini LaGrone. I am a first year journalism major, minoring in Spanish hailing from St. Louis, Missouri.” Everyone in the classrooms faces went from being expressionless to grinning like a Chesire cat. "Why are they smiling at me so creepily?" I thought to myself. I thought I must have messed up or left something out. When I sat back down, the young lady next to me said, “I love your accent!” After that, I couldn’t help but think, "What accent?" My entire life, I have been tormented for "sounding white" or proper, but an accent, that was new.
My roommate, who was a bouncy and bubbly belle from southern Virginia, had a twang that reminded you of Whitley from A Different World. People would interrupt our conversations to tell us how “cute” we sound or that I sound like LisaRaye and that my room mate sounds like Whitley. However, as I met more Hamptonians, I realized that I wasn’t the only one with this so called accent. Students from Georgia, New York, and the DMV, all had accents that caught my attention.
The trending topic #[insert city]LingoChallenge sparked a nationwide craze when people from all over the country created 30 second videos using slang and accents from their hometown. However, I noticed that my city didn’t do a Lingo Challenge. We did #STLTranslations, which consisted of reminiscing on aspects of St. Louis, rather than lingo. While the rest of the country questioned and laughed at St. Louis raised rap artist Nelly’s numerous uses of "thurrrrrs" and "hurrrrrs," we embraced it! That is when it dawned on me that I was an easy target for people to constantly badger about having an accent because I didn’t know I had one. However, there are pros and cons to having an accent.
PROS
- You’re memorable. Everyone remembers who you are because you made a lasting impression with your twang and bubbly personality.
- You remind homesick people, of home. Many of my fellow Hamptonians from St. Louis have said that my accent reminds them of being at home. Being able to give someone comfort in their time of need, is a glorious feeling.
- It is a conversation starter. A simple “hello” can turn into an hour long conversation about where you’re from and your background.
CONS
- People have trouble understanding you. I have to repeat myself at least 3-4 times. That is why speaking slowly and enunciating is a must.
- People don’t take you seriously! Many often associate southern accents with being dumb, or uneducated. I’ve ran into this numerous times on campus. I am constantly feeling the need to prove myself because of this stereotype.
- You are automatically sectioned into a group. Region wise, people always assume that I am from the south. However, I was born and raised in the midwest.
Overall, it is important to embrace every aspect of yourself, including that eyebrow raising accent of yours. Although there may be cons to having such a distinguished sound, it is very capable of making you a stand out individual.
