“African American Language (AAL), like all languages, is a tool for ordering the chaos of human experience. AAL gives shape, coherence, and explanation to the conditions of U.S. slave descendants and functions as a mechanism for teaching and learning about life and the world. Our language practices reflect generational continuity that has stood the test of time and they continue to demonstrate the uniqueness of Black folks’ journey in this land. These styles and ways of talkin Black have persevered in African America because they allow for fullest expression of the mind and the heart” (Smitherman, 2006, p. 64).”