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December 04, 2005
“No Kinda Sense” by Lisa Delpit
Comments:
Before reading this chapter, I don’t think I had a very good understanding of the debate behind the Ebonics controversy. Although we went over it in class, I like how the chapter brings new light to the issue because it is discussed from the point of view of someone who is experiencing a similar situation. I’m still ignorant when it comes to the topic, but I feel more informed now.
Seeing actual examples of Ebonics in written words also helped me understand the issue. I hadn’t thought much about it before, but to a child, hearing nothing but Black English at home, and trying to take a test in Standard English would be terrifying to the student.
I think Delpit is absolutely correct in that in order to teach a student a new dialect or any type of concept, the teacher must use a means that interests the student. I know that if I am interested in a subject, I tend to do better in the class, even if it requires more work than another easier but less interesting class.
“To speak out against the language that children bring to school means that we are speaking out against their mothers, that their mothers are not good enough to be a part of the school world. And in the African American community, talking about someone’s mother is the worst form of insult!” This quote is so true. At that age, children idolize their parents. Their parents know everything, and to indirectly tell the children that their parents are “not good enough” is heartbreaking.
On a lighter note, I enjoyed that Delpit added some humor in this chapter, such as the part when she explains how the black radio stations poked fun at the Oakland Policy with phrases such as “Hooked on Ebonics worked for me!”
Questions: Are the teachers who are telling these children that they cannot speak in Ebonics, in general, white? What does “chetto” sound like? I can’t imagine it from the description. Why were Atlanta’s Black Professionals against Ebonics? And was the NYT also against it because it published the ad for free?
Posted by lcishagan at December 4, 2005 08:21 PM