When I read Delpit's other book, I was focused on Latino ELL students and the discrimination they face because of their skin and language. This book is forcing me to take a look at African American speech. I think Dowdy's experience is that of many black students. To be successful, they must risk being segregated from peers of their own race. At least that was true when I was in school in the 70's and 80's. Black kids who acted "white" and got good grades took a risk. I hope that has changed some now 20 years later.
Dowdy found herself when she realized she could choose how she would speak. Her acting gave her the freedom to use her dialect. When I lived in Mexico and had to speak Spanish constantly, it was exhausting. Your emotions and deepest feelings need to be spoken in your heart, or first, language. For me, a white woman, it is hard to understand the constant effort it takes for African Americans, Latinos, etc. to put on the "act" so they can fit into mainstream culture. This means most of our students are operating under this stress!
I think Smith points out that America has made a mistake for a long time. We pretend to love everyone and be colorblind. We don't talk about differences, we try to make them go away. We will take the tired and hungry but only if they learn English quickly and act like the rest of us. But our silence causes pain and separation for those who are not in the white culture. It absolutely must be talked about so that those of us who are white, who have never really been discriminated against, can begin to understand the other side.
Ashley Catlett
Comments (3)
You bring out a good point. Many of our students probably are putting on an "act". I can't imagine how difficult this must be. It reminds me of taking French classes. It was so hard! This again brings out the teacher of writing in me. We want our students to be excellent writers in Standard English, right? But aren't we stifling their own hearts when we do this? How many wonderful writers have we limited and shut down because of it?
Posted by Sarah Feinman | January 24, 2009 11:05 AM
Posted on January 24, 2009 11:05
Ashley,
Unfortunately minority kids are still taking a risk when they choose to make good grades, use proper English, and take interest in a successful future (and here we are 20-30 years later). I see it everyday in my 3rd grade classroom. It is hard to watch my 8 and 9 year olds struggle with this day in and day out. It is a sad day when my "smart" hispanic and black children have to pretend that they don't know something because they don't want to get teased on the bus, or they want so-and-so to like them. In a sense Standard English is a lot like learning to read. The door is wide open, but so many people get lost trying to find their way in. And those who don't make it express displeasure towards their counterparts that do.
Posted by Cherrita Hayden-McMillan | January 26, 2009 10:18 PM
Posted on January 26, 2009 22:18
What an amazing post, Ashley. Your description of the exhaustion as a minority is striking. Until someone has experienced that for themselves, they will never understand how minorities and immigrants live daily life.
I struggle with what to say to people when I hear the word "colorblind" or the phrase "I don't see color." As you put it, we need to see color, and we need to see it in ways differently than the past -- as difference, not deficit. I'm hopeful that our new president can lead the nation to this new way of seeing difference.
Posted by Alecia Jackson | January 29, 2009 9:51 AM
Posted on January 29, 2009 09:51