I feel bad for missing class last Tuesday... especially since it leaves me unprepared for this blog assignment. And though I completed the reading, I have to respectfully opt out of the translation portion of this post. I've never really been a participant in an AAVE speaking group and with a topic as racially charged as this, I guess I just don't feel right trying translate a paragraph of Standard American English to AAE/AAVE.

Funny though, as I think about it, I'd have no problem trying to translating the paragraph if it were the other way around.


This class has certainly helped me change my perspective on Education vs Intelligence. For too long I have accepted the idea that language use provides a direct correlation to intelligence which in turn somehow relates to formal education. Considering the historical factors that have affected the African American communities, to call any form of AAE deficient or ignorant is just that - ignorant.

But the historical factors certainly play a huge role in defining an approach to formal education. I do believe that AAE speaking children would benefit from an ESL approach in learning Standard American English. But how do we bridge a "nonstandard", minority language while balancing the hot button issues of race, culture, politics and social status?

So - here are some thoughts on the matter. While racism is far from over, I do believe that there is a higher level of tolerance and more acceptance of diversity within the US. With that, we have seen a greater emergence, acceptance and integration of "Black culture" - thanks to the various media outlets- Television, Music, Movies as well as through prominent Black athletes, elected officials, and community activists. Hopefully, as "our" cultural awareness and understanding increases, the linguistic issues presented in Oakland can be revisited without the hostility previously witnessed.


I'm sorry this post was late - My cable/internet went down Sunday Evening and wasn't back up and running until Monday afternoon.