From the Outside, In

Mellix describes how throughout her life she has had to switch back and forth between speaking "Black English" and "standard English". She would have to use each language in different situations; if she was around her family she would use black english whereas when the white man told her she had a pretty dress, she used standard english. Even though Toby's english was not grammatically correct, it didn't matter because he was a white and she was a black so she had something to prove to him. Speaking standard english to whites was their way of showing that they knew their language. When she spoke standard english, she acknowledged to herself that her customary way of speaking was less than other languages. She felt embarrassed that she was ashamed to speak her own language.
Mellix's parents used different ways to teach them standard english but never set aside a specific time for it. Her father would tell stories in fluent english about how he tried to get his hair cut at a white barber shop. At the time her nor her father realized that he was teaching her standard english and the relationship between language and power. Her mother had a "proper" mood and would joke around if any of the children spoke in black english. I think the way you speaks shows your education status because if you use a lot of slang or improper english, you don't always come off as the smartest person whereas if you speak properly, you sound more studious.