linguistic racism - reflection on "the silenced dialogue" by lisa delpit (01.28.24)

 Blog Post 2 - 01.28.24

Reflection on “The Silenced Dialogue” by Lisa Delpit

Language is society’s greatest asset. The ability to communicate with one another, to craft sentences and stories that have longevity and legacies is the greatest accomplishment of humankind. To be able to transfer information between one another is an underappreciated facet of life and societal organization. However, language can create social and cultural barriers between us. In the text “The Silenced Dialogue” by Lisa Delpit, language is used to discuss the culture, etiquette, and ethics of power within the classroom. Towards the end of the passage, Delpit explains the discourse around “formal” or “white” English being used within the classroom. This excerpt in particular stood out to me. 

Maybe because in my heart, I will always be a writer before a person, or maybe it happened somewhere between the 50th and the 100th book I read but I care, deeply even, about language. In Delpit’s transcript of a southern black student speaking with a black teacher about language usage, I think it’s crucial to analyze the student’s reaction to “white” English. “White” English is seen as proper, formal, and academic. It’s symbolic of polished marble statues and clean lines and the smell of Lysol wipes. It’s cold, calculated, and analytical. It’s respected. If we compare this to the conceptions of “black” English we can see the clear discrepancies. “Black” English is seen as uneducated, unprofessional, and generally lower class. Intersectionality of cultural issues is present as well here, exemplified by the cycle of black poverty and lack of educational resources. 

I want you to consider this statement: Eurocentrism dominates Western culture. If you recoil from that statement, avert your eyes, huff a frustrated breath - I want you to understand that it is okay to make reconciliation with oppressive systems. Unfortunately, there is no escape from oppression in our society. European influences and narratives are shoved down our throats from a young age. That does not make you racist. However, it does make you part of a greater oppressive system. The first step towards change is recognition. Eurocentrism is everywhere. Take “Classical” art for example - ancient white marble Greek statues that are revered for their “purity,” like Michelangelo’s Statue of David. Yet, like all good art, it is a lie. The marble statues that are known and loved for their white purity, were never intended to be white. They were painted with vibrant hues of the primary colors. 

So, why does it matter? Why should you care about linguistics and classical art and discrepancies in narratives? Does it make a great difference if we adjust our academic language to be more inclusive of differing types of dialects? Well, to put it shortly, yes. It is crucial that our language and our understanding of cultural differences are constantly expanding. A huge part of modern-day segregation is language and access to education. The more we lift up and provide an understanding of different types of dialects across cultures and racial identities, the better we can provide education to those who may not have access to it. Remind yourself of how this passage begins - language can be our greatest tool as a society. 

With this post, I’ve included a link to a well-written article from the BBC on Linguistic Racism that helps to strengthen a lot of the points I’ve made above. Please check it out to help further our conversation on language and race! https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210528-the-pervasive-problem-of-linguistic-racism 

To Share: How are language, the study of language, and different cultural dialects related to race? What is your opinion on the differences between “white” and “black” English, and how do you feel they affect our society? Consider that you are part of a larger oppressive system, that your existence makes you part of a system that holds up dangerous and biased opinions. How does that make you feel? Do you feel that “black” English and “standard” English can exist as one?

envy v.s. jealousy - reflection on "privilege, power and difference" by alan johnson (01.22.24)

 Blog Post 1 - 01.22.24

Reflection on “Privilege, Power and Difference” by Alan Johnson

 

Envy. In my opinion, the controversial and avoidant nature of prejudice stems from that dark human desire for what others have. To reflect upon your own experience and still long to take from others, to express that cruel human need to stomp your feet and proclaim that “if I cannot have it, no one can.” Alan Johnson’s text, entitled “Privilege, Power and Difference” makes many valid points about the all-inclusive tendencies of bias and the inability to not be part of these larger social issues, however, I feel that after reflecting on his words I’ve discovered a deeper understanding of what may drive these problems. To envy others is to give in to that ingrained fear of missing out on what others have, to react with hatred and bitterness at the state of your own life in comparison with others. 

I ask you to consider a stereotypical bigot - we like to deceive ourselves into believing that bigotry and hatred are the nature of the elite. That those who have more than we will ever see in our lives take pride and joy as they glare down on us common folk with bitterness. However, if we consider those who truly have the most bitterness within their heart we can observe that they are much like you and me. White people who struggle with money and power. Straight people who cannot find romance in their lives and grow cruel because of this. Cisgendered citizens who mask transphobia as feminism or out of “care for the children.” Bigotry is far more common with people who are not content with their lives and are fearful of the progression of society as they consider they may be left behind. It may sound crazy, but I ask you to put yourselves in the shoes of a white man who cannot get a girlfriend and consider how that deep-instilled insecurity may rot away over time and turn to prejudice. The repeated rejection this person will feel begins to contort their opinions and turn their fear into hate. The envy, the gut rolling, eye twitching envy, sits heavy in our stomachs as we realize time and time again that maybe we will never have what other people do. 

Envy is an unavoidable aspect of our lives and in Western culture, we turn away from the phrase and all of its ugliness. Western culture specifically refuses to name envy as it is, breeding communities that harbor that dark emotion into what they consider to be objective fact. Take the incel community for example, men who cannot find love so they defend their poor romantic performance as proof of women being evil succubuses who only care for money. These communities harbor such deep fear and envy that they catastrophize their issues and stray so far from their envy that it becomes fact in their mind. Envy, in my opinion, controls bigotry. The ability to be self-aware about our envious tendencies and our human need to be unique is the truest way to protect against bias. Hate is fueled by fear, inadequacy, and avoidance. I believe that if we will ourselves to reflect upon our envy, and to call our bias what it is, we can begin to dismantle these systems of oppression. 

With this post, I’ve included a hyperlink to Merriam-Webster’s definitions of envy and jealousy, as well as an infographic to aid in the understanding of the difference between these two terms. Please check them out so you can understand the importance of recognizing envy as a separate emotion from jealousy and why it can be dangerous to avoid discussing envy in relation to bigotry!

https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/jealous-vs-envious 

To Share: How do we as a Western society define envy, and what makes it different from jealousy? Consider that when discussing envy, there is no personal loss. There is only a deep want for more. While jealousy directly involves those around us, such as being jealous that someone is flirting with your romantic partner, envy is a much larger and more all-encompassing emotion. Envy is an unavoidable aspect of our lives and in Western culture, we turn away from the phrase and all of its ugliness. Western culture specifically refuses to name envy as it is, breeding communities that harbor that dark emotion into what they consider to be objective fact.  What do you think about the relationship between envy and prejudice? Do you agree with the points I’ve made about envy as a driving force for bias or do you believe this issue may be more related to another topic?

introduction post!

 Hi!

I'm Audrey, and I am a sophomore student here at RIC. I'm currently in my fourth semester, studying Art Education. My goal is to become a high school art teacher one day. I work three on-campus jobs, working in New Student Orientation, Housing, and at the Student Union doing graphic design. When I'm not studying or on call, I'm with my boyfriend and my best friends! I love getting involved on campus and am known to be very....very talkative! My hobbies include painting, boxing, and studying. I've included pictures of my boyfriend and I, my best friends and I, and a cute picture of me with the RA staff. Thanks for getting to know me a little better!