Quote:
Originally posted by Phasad1913
Most of us who speak standard English in all settings do so because we have been exposed and in the presence of people with whom standard English speaking is the norm and we became accustomed to speaking properly. Maybe exposure is something that's key and needs to be enhanced among young people.
|
HELLO?! You're right - it isn't being done on a wide enough scale, and with re-segregation becoming more widespread, I worry that we won't be able to compete in this increasingly globalized society.
I'm not suggesting that exposure to "the Others" (
) is the only way to achieve this. There are a great many intelligent and yes -- articulate -- brothers and sisters who could serve as mentors and role models. While the dominant culture may glorify the bling, you still have control over what happens under your roof, and should wield that influence judiciously.
David Foster Wallace is an author and educator who wrote an article in which he said that if students came into his class speaking non-standard English, they were doomed to fail. It didn't matter how bright their intellect, if they didn't know that there is a time and a place for more formal speech, Wallace felt that they didn't have much hope for a successful future. I seem to remember that a lot of black academics and activists were upset about this (mainly because it came from a white man), but when you think about it -- these intellectuals were defending the culture of anti-intellectualism that is so pervasive in our communities! AAUGH!
Okay, I've ranted enough. I don't think Cosby's language or rhetoric was too tough. If it makes people aware, then I'm all for it.