AP reporter says he meant no disrespect when dropping G’s from Obama’s speech

Yahoo | Mediaite
AP reporter Mark Smith has been criticized for the way he transcribed  President Barack Obama’s use of dialect during a speech to black voters last weekend. When quoting part of Obama’s speech, Smith noted the dropped G’s: “Shake it off. Stop complainin’. Stop grumblin’. Stop cryin’.” African-American author Karen Hunter told MSNBC’s Chris Hayes that the AP’s version of the speech was “inherently racist.” Smith said he normally goes by the AP Stylebook — which advises against using dialect — but made an exception. “In this case, the President appeared to be making such a point of dropping Gs, and doing so in a rhythmic fashion, that for me to insert them would run clearly counter to his meaning,” Smith told Mediate. “I believe I was respecting his intent in this. Certainly disrespect was the last thing I intended.”