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“It’s only two syllables.” Sheletta’s tutorials on how to speak new state slogan (“Bring ya ass!”) goes viral

Sheletta Brundidge’s ear was offended by the way many Timberwolves fans were repeating the team’s new rallying cry, “Bring ya ass!”

 

With the series against the Dallas Mavericks pending, the catchphrase began circulating among revved-up Minnesota fans. It originated when Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards made the post-game “Bring ya ass!” comment to TNT announcer and NBA great Charles Barkley, soon to arrive in Minneapolis.

 

“I was watching it live. I thought, oh wow, he did it for the culture,” said comedian, podcaster and WCCO Radio broadcaster Sheletta Brundidge about Anthony’s banter with Barkley. “I knew exactly what he meant.”

 

But as the phrase gained momentum, Brundidge determined that excited Timberwolves fans—mostly her “white friends”—weren’t doing the “Bring ya ass” phrase justice as they repeated it.

 

“It’s not three syllables. It’s only two syllables. It’s three words but it’s two syllables. Because ‘ya’ and ‘ass’ are together. So it’s ‘Bring Y’ass,’ she said. “That’s Black talk.”

 

Brundidge took to social and broadcast media to correct the widespread flawed pronunciation.  Her humorous tutorials quickly became a phenomenon, with more than 60,000 impressions on X (formerly Twitter) and thousands of views and shares of her videos posted on Facebook and Instagram.

 

“When the national media spotlight is on our great town and we are saying our new slogan, I want to make sure they are not laughing at us. I want us to say this properly,” Brundidge said. “I want us to represent well.”

 

Brundidge patiently coached Breaking the News anchor Jana Shortal on the fine points of the phrase in a video aired on KARE 11 and posted on YouTube.

 

“You are putting an R on Ya. ‘Bring your ass.’ No,” Brundidge explained. “Bring y’ass. Come on, do it with me.”

 

Ever the game foil, Shortal repeated the slogan until she gained Brundidge’s approval, even following Brundidge’s urging to “put some stank on it.”

 

Brundidge complimented Shortal on Facebook, saying that after their lesson the KARE anchor ‘sounded like Della Reese in Harlem Nights.’

 

Brundidge also calmed Shortal’s concerns that speaking the slogan as Brundidge advised would be viewed as offensive.

 

“It’s not cultural appropriation. Y’ass is a word and you do not have to be Black to say it,” Brundidge said reassuringly. “It is the new Minnesota state slogan and the people of the great state of Minnesota have to say it correctly. This slogan is for all of us. We have to say it better than anyone else in the country.”

 

Brundidge added that she is “taking appointments, having virtual meetings, working with with people in person,” to school them on the way to utter the phrase.

 

Her one-on-one videos coaching WCCO Radio newsman Steve Simpson and political consultant Blois Olson have gone viral on social media, with users posting their gratitude and appreciation for her explanation.

 

“Oh my goodness! I need to practice this been saying it all wrong!” posted one follower. “Bring y’ass!! If this old white woman can do it, anyone can. You betcha!” wrote another.

 

Brundidge plans to continue her one-woman mission in what she calls her “uphill battle” to help Timberwolves fans say it right. If you need some encouragement to put your own stank on the phrase, here is the YouTube link to her tutorial! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3Mf8EklPbVI

 

Go Wolves! And Bring ya ass!

 

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