I definitely understand why this topic is noteworthy. I am an educated black woman (BS and MBA both from prestigious universities) and work at an international bank as a VP. Although I would never think of speaking in ebonics or using 'ghetto slang' at work or in a proffesional environment, I find myself using this 'dialect' at home and with friends. Recently, I began reporting to amother black woman. After our relationship grew into a friendship, I also found myself using more familiar language (less formal, non-standard english) behind closed doors and in personal interactions. I have non-black co-workers that are friends that I never speak this way with--not even in social settings.
At times I am offended when people other than minorities speak to me this way and feel it to be quite presumptious (if this is not the way you normally speak, why address me this way?). Sometimes I cringe when I hear IV say things like 'you got heat on Christie'. IMO it is unprofessional since she is in the house in professional capapcity and should address all the HG in the same manner. Would IV tell a white HG that she sold her soul for a 'piece of a$$'? (or maybe she would--she named Allisham's future suitor 'Boo-Boo')
Before I get off-topic, you will probably see more of this in the future, that Niambi and Antonia will communicate differently with each other than they do with other HGs. For the record using ebonics is very similar to speaking in another dialect like patois or cajun/creole. It has it's own rules of grammar and many ethnic groups in this country use non-standard forms of english. The problem comes when they don't know when and where to use it or recognize that they are speaking improperly. Just my two cent'.