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

"In such time, mothers will not longer have to force their children to act like strangers among their elders. They will hold hands with generations and celebrate the community experience that makes language sensible to all those who are members of the group. Their children will join them in their quest to preserve the ancestral tones and images that represent centuries of love, hope, and success. This is when we will all be able to speak "clearly," not just enunciate, and put our soul's reality out in the open (Dowdy pg 12)." It's amazing to hear of this persons growth through such trying times of humiliation from peers and family. She definitely persevered and took a great stand for what is right.

Through reading Dowdy and Delpit my eyes have been opened to the reality that many African Americans have faced their entire lives. Once completing the reading I began to think of the wonderful African American women that I work with. I asked my self some questions throughout the reading: Do African Americans (my fellow co-workers) really feel so belittled by white people they see themselves as worthless? Do they change they way they talk among certain people (code switching)? Will the African American population ever feel as if they can overcome this language barrier that has been "placed" on them? Next I decided to seek answers to my questions by discussing them with a wonderful coworker of mine. I began by reading the quote from above. Her response: "Those are the most beautiful words I have heard in a very long time regarding how "we" speak." Next she went on to tell me that yes she does code switch depending on who she is talking too and that she felt there is a time a place to do so. Then she went on to tell that she did feel lesser at times compared to the white man when growing up, but is thankful her son won't have to experience that. Lastly, I have observed my coworker and the was she talks among friends, family, and workers and indeed she does use a different "language" along with jesters. Just from working with this lady I can tell you she is brilliant at the job she does!

Second, in focusing on Delpit's reading I was completely astonished to hear that her daughter wanted plastic surgery because she wasn't white and pretty. But just the other when speaking to another coworker of mine, who is also African American, she shared with me how her 5 year old son refuses to believe that he is black. She went on to say that he is the only African American boy in a preschool class of 12 white children. This instantly broke my heart that a child so young can be affected. The mother in response to her son was "Honey, it is great for you to have goals that you want to accomplish in life." In the end she said if she had to do it over she would try to find a preschool more diverse. In the reading I completely agree that teachers need to know about their students and the background that they come from. To truly grasp who a person is you must know about all aspects of their lives including: family, friends, school, community, etc. I like the thought of in creating a curriculum for student that I should reflect the community that they live in. Also, we must find their interests so that we can connect on a deeper level. That should common-sense for all, but yet as teachers we can lack in that area. As quoted in the reading, "Greatness only comes when our students know that we have complete faith in them succeeding!" I have never understood those teachers who demand respect but don't give it. If teachers want to build a community of learners then respect is key. Children and teenagers need that sense of connectedness with not only their teacher but also their peers. This is necessary so that all children can feel "part of the club." When watching the short video on the President and his wife I was able to see a new side of the two. I think their "language" should be encourage more because that is what makes them who they are.

Lastly, this reading made me question my own students and how this would apply to them. All are white but are viewed as "redneck/country/or stupid." Most of my students say things like: "Heres he comes." "We's about done I reckon." I's ready to go!" They are very bright but are perceived differently because of how they talk.

Candace Barnes