Ideal VS Real
Acceptance is essential in a country that is a professed "melting pot." Whether that is true or not is neither here nor there. It is important to teach acceptance, but the issue with teaching "only" acceptance is the conflict between the ideal world versus the real world. The unfortunate fact of the matter is that the chance for an individual to succeed is to adopt these guidelines and rules of speech. It's obvious to assume that learning the "language of power" is in opposition with acceptance, and that is probably my biggest concern with Delpit's argument. I completely agree with her, and I understand the importance of teaching acceptance and promoting practices like "code-switching" in order to prepare students for the business world, but it is easy for a middle class white male like myself to promote my way of speech. I frequently wonder if teaching the language of power doesn't perpetually keep it in power. In the ideal world, acceptance would be adequate. In the real world, there is a language of power, and the best way to participate in struggles for power (which is what school is for, right? We learn so we can succeed and be more powerful in one way or another) is to learn that language and work within it.
posted by SteveM @ 12:45 AM
7 comments
7 Comments:
You make a good point. As I read your comment, I asked myself what it is that makes a system of language one's own? It seems to me that it is the speaker's choice. Therefore, we should give minority students the ability to choose the language of power as their own if they so desire. It is hard to argue that this approach is unfair because most minorities in this country have already chosen English as their language. To introduce them to "correct" English is a small step in comparison.
I agree with what you said as well. It is much easier to learn and properly use the "language of power" if you're born into the culture to begin with and do not truly experience any other culture. Since we have nothing to compare what we are being taught to, we don't see the problem with only teaching this particular "language of power," and because no one questions it, the language remains in power.
I agree with your ideas. It is true that the "language of power" and accepance are in opposition with each other. I believe that if students are taught the "language of power", they can learn acceptance on their own. It is essential to prepare students the life in business world and it is good that the language of power is being taught in schools
I think this is a great observation and I agree with it. Perhaps the reason the language of power hasn't changed much is because we haven't allowed it to change much. It's one of the few things we've clung to as English has morphed and evolved. I can also agree with what Madravi said about learning the language of power first.
Definitely agree with what you are saying here, especially in regards to your comment, "...the best way to participate in struggles for power (which is what school is for, right? We learn so we can succeed and be more powerful in one way or another) is to learn that language and work within it." School is all about learning things that prepare you for a life out on your own. We all know that the "language of power" is just one tool we should have in our bag of tricks. It is something to learn and beomce knowledgeable about, because it is was will bring us success on a professional level. It all boils down to professionalism, and I think that goes for any culture around the world.
In an ideal world everyone would start on the same line, with equal footing, and proceed through a life of acceptance and equality. Unfortunately we live in an oligarchy where you can't make it into the culture of power without money. There is a second option. The educational system approximates a type of meritocracy where people can rise to higher levels in the societal hierarchy. Unfortuately even our educational system becomes increasingly exclusive as you rise. The double-standard of acceptance and exclusion becomes harder to hide and questions are raised such as, what does it mean to "be accepting?"
I like that you pointed out how the issue is a matter of the "real world" versus the "ideal world". In an ideal world this discussion about "language of power" would be moot. As it is, we need to empower students with the "language of power" and teach acceptance.
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