Utah Govenor Speaks Ebonics

Before we get started, let me just say if you know Governor Gray Herbert, you don't have to call him to check the validity of this story. Just trust me on this one…

I belong to a group that gets to have an audience with the Governor here in Utah to discuss some of Utah's many achievements, as well as a few of our issues. Let me give a shout out to our Governor right now.

**Real Talk: I love Governor Herbert. Yes, he is all that and a bag of chips! If I had a **"Ghetto Pass” I’d give it to him. However, I don't have one to give away so I won't. Which is probably better for our Governor, because he’d probably take it literally instead of figuratively. Then we'd all be in trouble, when we turned on the TV and seen our Governor getting the shake down in Compton. While at the same time trying to explain to my cousin Lil Snappy that he's alright because someone gave him a "Ghetto Pass". Messing around with ya’ll I’ve gotten side tracked. Ya'll know that I can't stay focused for long, and it don't take much to distract me.

Anyways, one of the presenters is more than a little mischievous. She is a doctor, and she can communicate in several languages other than, English. However, English and Ebonics are the only two languages I speak fluently. Having said that let me tell you about “The Doc”.

Doc was the first presenter. Her presentation was on health care issues in Utah. Doc caught us all off guard, by first announcing that she was going to walk around as she presented (not typically done at these types of gatherings).

While speaking to Governor Herbert, my wonderful friend went from being a graceful refined doctor to an around the way girl from the hood. I didn't know Doc had it in her (well, actually I did). I just didn't think she would break it down like that for the Governor.

Why did the Doc say to the Governor that something or someone was "Hot as Fish Grease"? Why? I don't have the answer either!

What did our Governor do you ask? He just nodded and jokingly said "fish grease", like he understood - you know? Like he spoke the language!

Was my friend and sista done? Oh Heaven No! As she continued to walk she said, “Gov, I got a little somethin', somethin' for ya". Yes, she did! She said "a little somethin' somethin' for ya"! Wow, I was so confused. Usually some of ya'll (you know who you are) be acting like you don't understand. You be asking questions like, "What? Um excuse me? Can you repeat that?" Not our Governor, he said "you got a little somethin' somethin' for me?" with his hand extended as he took the gift that Doc had for him. Doc gave the Governor a pedometer so that he could track the number of steps he took daily.

It’s probably not shocking for some of you, but for me it was very fascinating to watch. Stop playing, ya'll know I'm Mormon, and you know I live in Utah! It's been a **minute since I've been given the opportunity to just break it down the way I wanted to. And I most certainly haven't had the opportunity to break it down in mixed company (don't act shocked and you know what I’m talking ‘bout)! You know the more comfortable you get with a person the more comfortable your language is. **Fo’sho

Yes, I think Utah's Governor is great! Yes, Utah's Governor speaks several languages (well, I'm not really sure if that's a true statement). Fo'sho Utah's Governor speaks Ebonics, no translator needed!!

Brothas and Sistas the moral to this story isn’t so much that Utah has the most Fab Governor (even though we do). Nor is it that Utah has the most diverse Doctors in the United States (again a true statement)! The moral to this story is serving a mission for the church turns Boys into Men, and Girls into Women. Missions create opportunities for people to step outside of their comfort zones, and really receive the gift of speaking in tongues. I’m sure this (speaking Ebonics) is just one of the many talents Governor Herbert learned while serving a mission in the Eastern Atlantic States. However, this is one of the few unique qualities that our Governor possesses. Do you know your political leaders? Do they speak a language that you understand, I mean really understand or do you need a translator? Share your brush with the political high life in your area.


Real talk = all barriers aside, just a conversation between you and another person.

Ghetto Pass = a pass that allows you free access to enter the ghetto, much like a key to the city.

Fo’sho = For Sure, alright, okay

Minute = more than a minute, when someone says a minute it could mean a few extra minutes, hour or more, or even a few days - maybe even a year. It just depends on who it’s coming from.

Sista Beehive