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

I concur! Students at most ages will imitate what they hear. While Dowdy's situation is sad, what might have become of her had her mother not driven her so hard to speak correctly. As a mother of 3 daughters, I am constantly correcting their grammar and behavior. That is the job of a mother along with countless other things. Who among us doesn't want the best for our children? I am hoping that my daughters grow up and become successful in their careers of choice. I think proper standard English improves their chances of scholarships, college interviews and applications, etc.

I agree...people in general change the way they speak based on the company they keep. With peers, they speak the "in" lingo and when in more respectable companies, they generally speak with a more proper dialect. I think the best way this mother, or any parent for that matter, can teach their child is by example, not constant criticism.

My heart broke as well when reading Dowdy. I could not believe she was criticized for how she yelled "over there" when she hit the ball over the fence. As a teacher I try not to correct the way my students say certain things. At times it is so hard for me not to correct them. In one of my Reading courses I heard a story of a teacher correcting a student and by doing that it confused them even more causing them to read the wrong words. I think it is important to encourage good speaking skills but not change the person. But the reality is, is that society is not going to change and when it comes to getting a job an employer will be looking at someone who speaks with the "standard American English" over some hill-billy. I can honestly say I talk differently to my friends compared to when I am talking to my boss or other coworkers because I don't want to sound stupid!

Into everyone’s life a little rain must fall. “The Dr.” blames her mother for insisting she speak correctly, but I also suspect that she wanted to be successful and was willing to do whatever it took to do that. Let’s think about our students that want to achieve and are being held back by parents who are fearful of change. Many (including me) have worked hard to break away from a poverty stricken background in order to enjoy a nice life; we have been called uppity (among other things) for wanting more than our parents had. Sometimes teachers are the best encouragers and by respecting a child’s family they can become a positive example and help direct a child to a bigger world.
Elizabeth Achor

Not being a mother I can't say I know what I'd do in her situation. But I do know what I think I would do, and that would be to lead by example, as we do in the classroom. Yes we have to teach our kids how to speak correctly, but always correcting them would lead to a hesitant volunteer,and a question into their own judgement. I think there is a fine line as to how much you correct your students, and how much to push to have the ideal perfect "white" language.