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?
Hi Audrey! I absolutely love your reflection and emotions tied to the art of language. Your personal connection to reading and language resonated with me and I live the effort you put into this!
ReplyDeleteYour reflection was very well put again, and the additional links and images you used were very informative and the image provided provided a great message.
ReplyDeleteHi Audrey, well written post as usual! To respond to your question about how "white" and "black" English affects our society, I think it unfortunately affects how people are viewed and even treated. For some, the use of "black" English or AAVE (African-American Vernacular English) in predominantly white spaces can result in mistreatment, or being viewed as less intelligent, when that is most definitely not the case. For some reason, difference or anything other than what's traditionally "the norm" is put in a negative light. I think especially with the older generations, it is difficult for them to accept differences and diversity. Hopefully, as time progresses, everyone will be able to speak comfortably in their own way and not fear that their way of speaking will lead to negative consequences and/or being misunderstood. I think to achieve this, we need to keep the conversation flowing and open, as well as continue to advocate and educate.
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