
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The news media &#8212; from FOX to ABC and others – have taken note of Vice President Harris’ habit of changing her speaking style when addressing different audiences. ; In one speech she speaks in her well educated elitist California English style. ;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In other addresses, she takes on what has been described as a “southern accent.”  ;Some have called it street talk or Ghetto speak.  ;The Toronto Sun referred to it as “fake cartoon-like accent.” ; What is obvious is that the change in speaking style is obvious.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Whatever it is, it is an apparent attempt to connect with specific audiences – but is it empathy or pandering? ; And does it have any insight into her character? ; Those are questions that can only be answered by those aware of Harris’ various “voices” – and very few will be.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It is not unique to Harris.  ;An excerpt from my upcoming book on Democratic Party racism covered that subject in terms of President Johnson. ; I wrote:</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>“</em><em>Johnson was also a master of ‘code-switching’ or subtly changing one’s normal speech style to fit the audience. ; Johnson biographer, Robert Caro, wrote that Johnson would calibrate his language by switching between “nigra” and “negra” depending on the regional background of the audience.<strong>”</strong></em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There is also Father Michael Pfleger, a controversial White Catholic priest in Chicago with a predominantly Black congregation. ; The fair-haired pastor of German ancestry takes on an extreme Black preacher voice and style at the pulpit. ; Given his background – and how he speaks normally &#8212; it is an obvious stage act. ; ; While he apparently is very popular with his flock, I have found the habit to be condescending – an oral version of Blackface. ; But I am not a member of his church.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough occasionally puts on a deep southern accent as a form of humorous mockery – as if mockery is ever funny.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When asked about Harris’ code-switching by FOX White House reporter Peter Doocy, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre scoffed at the question and said she had no idea what Doocy was talking about. Since the story was carried on a number of news outlets – and his job is to follow the news &#8212; either Jean-Peirre is incompetent or &#8230; fibbing. I vote for the latter.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Agreed that Harris’ rhetorical flip-flopping is not the biggest issue in the world. ; It is an interesting observation, however – on a level with the mysteriously vanishing cackle. Politics is a performance art, and Harris is a pro.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So, there ‘tis.</p>

What is with Harris’ voice flip-flops?
