Response to Question #2

One student asked, “Why do we have to discuss teaching minority children the language of power? Why not just teach everyone acceptance?” Respond.

I don’t think it’s really about accepting students/people’s race or ethnicity. It’s about giving them the opportunity to make themselves successful in the world. If we continue to hold them back by discouraging them from learning the language of power, with the excuse of preserving culture or persuading them of the lack of necessity, it does nothing but keep them and their children in the same position in society. It locks them out of the class mobility that we as American’s hold so precious. Without that power that could be taught from childhood, they are left thinking that they’re in the position they are because they’re a minority group, and not because someone neglected to give them a tool for success. I should add that this is difficult to say. What it really is, is middle/upper class teachers, who come from middle/upper class families, don’t want to discriminate by enforcing “white” English on their minority students, thinking somehow the act will offend them.

Jennie Bartlemay