I’ve already provided my take on the concept or socially constructed idea of “Standard” English (in the post below this one), but I feel it very necessary to comment on the clear-cut statements Rachel L. Jones makes. First of all, let me assert that Jones is a very capable communicator and she represents a group of African-Americans that have been ostracized by both their own ethnic group and the dominant culture surrounding them. I also want to say that I have a personal connection to Jones’ anguish because I have been in that very position before. Furthermore, I would maintain that I agree with about 85% of the author’s claims. But the reason why I’m writing is to clarify why I disagree with approximately 15% of the article, What’s Wrong With Black English.
Let me digress for a brief moment—there is no such thing as talking or acting white technically. Simultaneously, there isn’t a way to do these things Black. There are too many people in both of these people groups with too much variety to ascribe and generalize white or Black behavior. Classical conditioning and plain old ignorance brings people to a place of categorizing in this simplistic/elementary way. I understand exactly what people mean but technically there is no such thing.
The main phrases in Jones’ article that I saw as problematic are: It means I’m articulate and well-versed; for many Blacks, “standard” English is not only unfamiliar, it is socially unacceptable; Am I selling out Blacks to an ideal of assimilating; and I think I talk right. Because of time, I’ll have to gloss over each of these statements except the last.
Leaving the first phrase to be considered with the last, I address the second, “for many Blacks, “standard” English is not only unfamiliar, it is socially unacceptable”. I’ve heard this type of assertion before, matter of fact, I’ve previously addressed it on one of the comments of my blog. I often wonder where the Blacks that are unfamiliar with mainstream English live. This unfamiliarity would constitute them having never watched the news, been to the local grocery store, or having a white, middle-class school teacher. This is a highly unlikely experience to have—though I guess theoretically it’s possible.
“Am I selling out Blacks to an ideal of assimilating”?–from the perspective that the author poses, yes. Though I agree that Black English has an extremely negative stigma and that students who can’t code switch (homework word for some) will have trouble accruing economic mobility, I, along with every leading linguist of the last 15 years, don’t see Black English as inferior. Thus, to not respect and embrace, while encouraging the mastery of other forms of English, is to me selling out Blacks to an ideal of assimilating. Note that a key component of assimilating is replacing cultural traits versus adding to oneself.
Finally, the statements, “It means I’m articulate and well-versed”, and “I think I talk right”. You know, I’ve spent time over the last few days conversing about this last point and I’m not going to go into depth about my disagreements. The naïve notion of speaking “right” seems to have been exposed by a number of students in our class. What people groups were and which groups were not included in the decision making process of what is considered “right”? The fact that this is undemocratic isn’t the worst of it; this decision gives an advantage to those that are exposed to the intricacies of this dialect and discourse in their homes. Having this exposure in the home and at school is an obvious advantage to those that just get it at school. Both of these statements can be evaluated under the guise of whose standard is being used, or what’s the measuring stick. Being articulate, well-versed, and right all are subjective. I know plenty of people who are well-versed in Black English but will never get credit for their creativity and intellect.
