Cutting it to the wire...

The idealistic goal of America is the American Dream that anyone can "make it" here. While most people, myself included, would say the American Dream is dead, not all agree. This ideology has changed and grown since it's conception, but fundamentally it is still the same. Everyone has a different idea of what it is, but to me it means that everyone in this country has an opportunity for success. We have discussed in class that not everyone has equal footing because of discrimination, racism, and preferences. White kids have a better chance of success than most black kids. If we live in a society where our motto is success, it is important for the dominant bloc (in our case, white society) to give the non-dominant blocs the tools required to reach success. If anything, it is our responsibility to even out the playing field for this students.

Should speakers of Standard American English study Black English Vernacular in school? Yes and no. No for a few reasons. One, most speakers of Standard American English will not be more geared toward success by learning Black English. Also no because this vernacular is part of a culture that the majority of white kids are not exposed to. Someone in class (I can't remember your name, sorry!) brought up the social ramifications of a white person speaking Black English to a Black person. Of course, that makes me indignant because I think everyone should have the opportunity to do whatever they want, that just isn't allowed in social spheres. While I don't think it would be great to require this type of course, I do think it would be beneficial to offer some kind of history elective that teaches Black history and includes Black English. While I am sure in some school districts, such a class exists, but there was never an option when I was in school.

It's important to be realistic and know that things aren't fair. This is a concept that I have a very hard time accepting, but it is true. Even though I, and most of us, think it is important that Black English would be beneficial if used as a teaching device to bridge to proper English, the reality of that actually happening is slim. It's also slim that I will really encounter "Black English" in the same capacity as I have in this class. It's unfortunate.

B.Knee