RES 5535: Race, Class, and Gender in Literacy Research (summer 2010)

Dowdy, Delpit, & ABC News Articles
Dowdy
In all three of the pieces I read there was a common theme of finding a balance between speaking “properly” and being able to speak freely among peers. The coeditor, Joanne Kilgour Dowdy, found herself trapped between two worlds. She tried her best to live up to her mother’s expectations for her life by attempting to master British English. She was told that this was what “good” & “proper” girls are supposed to speak. This made her feel proud while pleasing her mother, yet alienated her from her peers and herself. She found it extremely difficult to live in both worlds until she became an actress. This was a very “freeing” experience because it allowed her the freedom to switch back and forth between speaking British English and Trinidadian. One of my dearest friends whom I met in college is Trinidadian. I saw many times where she felt alienated by colleagues and how difficult it was for her to live in these two worlds. She always spoke proper English, but had a strong accent. Many students who were from other countries stuck together because they were going through similar situations and hardships. I learned a lot from my friend over the years, most of all, she showed me her inner strength determination, when she graduated in May of this year.
I too have had to find a way to co-exist between two worlds. I am from the North and moved here about six years ago. At first, I didn’t understand all of the “Southern terminology” like “hosepipes,” and “Bless their heart,” but I soon learned what these things meant. I also didn’t understand some of the things my colleagues said to me because I wasn’t used to the accents yet. I just didn’t fit in and it seemed everywhere I went everyone knew I wasn’t from around here. But with time, that all changed. I developed an accent and have learned how to “switch it off” if need be. I also lose my accent when I go home to Pennsylvania. It returns after a few days of being around my students again.
I think it’s important for your own well-being to find a balance and a way to live successfully between two worlds. This will help you stay true to who you are as a person.

Delpit
The chapter, “No Kinda Sense,” by Delpit made me think back to my student teaching experience. I come from a working middle-class family and attended elementary, middle, and high schools that were taught primarily by white teachers. I wanted to teach in an inner city school to gain experience in a different school setting than what I was accustomed to. The school I taught at had a student population that was about 90% African American. The other 10% included Hispanic, White, and Asian students. I taught second grade while there and found it difficult at first to gain their respect and interest. I had to get to know my students and their interests before I could earn their trust. I feel that it is extremely important to get to know my students before we delve deeper into instruction. During the first two weeks of school, this is my primary objective. I know that I’m more apt to listen to someone that I’ve gotten to know better and I’m more likely to trust them. All students should feel valued, safe, and comfortable to be themselves and express their ideas without fear of criticism at school. I see nothing wrong with students “code switching” between two dialects or languages as long as they know which to use when.

ABC News
No matter whom the president is their life is under a microscope. Everything that they say and do is carefully and constantly scrutinized. I believe that Barack Obama’s life is under an even more intense type of scrutiny because he is our first biracial president. I think that he carefully plans what he’s going to say and shouldn’t be scrutinized for not speaking “proper” English when in certain situations. I like to see that we have someone in a position of power that can relate to the everyday American and feels comfortable enough to do so.
By: Reshawna Greene