It's literally exhausting having to explain these things over and over - especially when people go out of their way to challenge and argue against what we've been trying to help them understand

But there are several active threads with excellent explanations. If you're really interested in understanding why this comment is insulting, you can start by reading here:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287372462

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287372377

...I appreciate that this can be exhausting, and I thank you for the links. But I still want to be able to compliment people if they express themselves verbally on complex issues. I reposted this here not to be argumentative or dense, but to see the responses to broaden my understanding--and to figure out a way to comment on verbal skill without offending anyone. The moderator told me to repost here as she had locked my previous post because it was posted in general discussion instead of primary candidates.

I know there is a perspective I am struggling with here, but I think it's just not right that I can compliment Elizabeth Warren, Beto (and Rachel Maddow, though she's not a candidate) on their facility with explaining the issues, but it's not ok for me to say the same things about Corey Booker, for example, just because he is not white. I know I can't really fully empathize with the issue people of color have with comments about their verbal skills, but regardless of race, a word person like me cannot help but be refreshed by great communication skills. Reagan was the great communicator? My ass. Barack Obama is a masterful communicator. Those words do not do him justice...but they're the best I can do.

that what you're describing isn't being "well-spoken" but extraordinary eloquence, which isn't common for anyone, even people in public life. So noting that Obama is unusually eloquent does not suggest that he's unusual for a black person but for humans.

On the other hand, being well-spoken (i.e., able to speak well) or articulate (i.e., able to express oneself clearly) are not extraordinary qualities, especially for a politician who is a US Senator. It would be unusual if he WEREN'T well-spoken. Such a comment suggests that Bloomberg found this quality in Booker u usual enough to remark upon, that he didn't see it as a given.

This wouldn't be a big deal if it weren't a long-standing, common back-handed compliment given to black people who don't fit certain negative racial stereotypes. "MY but doesn't he speak well (for a black person)!" "He's not like the others. He speaks so WELL!" etc.

Bloomberg has been around enough to know better. And I'll bet no one has examples of him making a special point of pointing out that any white person "speaks well."

Wow I would not have thought a black man could be eloquent. So you think it worth mentioning it if he is. With white men, it goes without saying and you don’t have to mention it.

It is suggested you would not say this about a white man because it would not strike you in any way.

It’s funny you mention Dubya. With him and the Dotard it is harder to come up with someone white to say it about. Biden the gaffer isn’t much help either. Bill Clinton I recall was said to speak for too long.

JFK was well spoken. But that’s a long time ago.

mostly on the right, we must admit, who sound like IDIOTS! It is so refreshing when someone is articulate! When one speaks with eloquence, you cannot help but notice what with the abundance of fools out there! Current dummies have so far surpassed George Bush with their stupidity, how can you not express appreciation for those who have skill with language, no matter what their race? It's not like anyone is saying, "Dang! You don't even sound like an idiot!" I feel like this is an area the right has stolen from us with their verbal foolishness.

When complimenting black people, it comes across to many like you expected otherwise.

...but surely that's not what you mean.

But people should be mindful of what they're complimenting black people about.

One thing to consider is whether they would level the same compliment to a white person under the same circumstances and in the same way.

if Bloomberg regularly remarked on the "well-spokenness" of other U.S. Senators who happened to be white, this might not be an issue.

Another thing I always take into consideration is the exposure the person who's making the compliment has had to black people and how much they understand dog whistles. So, for example, I would react differently to an average white guy who hasn't been around a lot of black people or hasn't had experiences that make him understand what some of this means than I would to a 70-something-year-old billionaire who's been in politics for decades and should know better.

In the former case, I would most likely explain to him how such a comment can be perceived and hope they learn from the experience. But if, after it's explained to them, they continue to do it or try to turn it into a "how dare you play the victim" attack, I will have a different view of their motives.

"One thing to consider is whether they would level the same compliment to a white person under the same circumstances and in the same way."

can bet that TOXIC ALGAE BLOOMberg knows them all.

...it's "woven into the fabric of our culture, through our language."

You know that. So remember that.

A good rule: If you know it pisses people of, don't say it.

Bloomberg was talking about how Booker led Newark NJ. He could have described the good things Booker did there and Bloomberg, to his credit did. But then he threw in the articulate statement out of the blue, that is a no-no for a White that is talking about a Black person. Bloomberg could have used different phrasing, like Booker was passionate about making his city better and was dynamic at executing on his goals for his city.

I totally understand this and why Bloomberg may actually have been discounting Booker due to race. I don't give him a pass. I understand he should have known better. But I hope I never offend anyone when I just have to notice they can speak the truth and speak it clearly after all the Rethug BS we have to listen to. I can see there is a good chance Bloomberg didn't mean his words in an appreciative way, but My God in Heaven (which I don't believe in) aren't you just ecstatic when a politician can string some words together and make good sense nowadays? I know I am. Thanks for all the comments, you guys. I think I understand better now.

"clean" is just loaded with history and pitfalls. The speaker may have meant to compliment the Black person, but end up insulting not only that person, but an entire ethnic group.