The Real Ebonics Debate.Theresa Perry & Lisa Delpit Lisa D. Delpit is the Benjamin E. Mays Professor of Urban Educational Leadership at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, and also the director of the Center for Urban Educational Excellence, whose work focuses on education and race. Dr. , Editors. Boston: Beacon Press This article or section needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. , 1998. 192 pp. $12.00. On December 18, 1996, the Oakland (California) School Board passed a resolution stating that teachers who better understand the structure and history of the home language spoken by many African American African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. children will be better equipped to help them use standard English Stan·dard English n. The variety of English that is generally acknowledged as the model for the speech and writing of educated speakers. Usage Note: People who invoke the term Standard English . Unfortunately, the press and many people of good will distorted the true intention of this resolution (which was not clearly worded, and since has been revised). The 17 contributors to this book correct the misinformation mis·in·form tr.v. mis·in·formed, mis·in·form·ing, mis·in·forms To provide with incorrect information. mis surrounding the debate. The Real Ebonics Debate is a sober and caring look at what happens in the lives of young African Americans in school. It looks squarely at how children's confidence is affected when they are made to feel ashamed of their home language. It gives examples of the great beauty of Black English Black English n. 1. See African American Vernacular English. 2. Any of the nonstandard varieties of English spoken by Black people throughout the world. (or Ebonics), and shows the strengths of those who can switch back and forth between different linguistic codes. Never in any of the essays in this collection does anyone say that African American children do not need to learn standard English. Instead, this book speaks for the value of each child having two languages - the language of his or her community and the language of the marketplace. It strongly opposes extinguishing a language that has proved to be such comfort to a people still struggling from the effects of slavery. There is a notion in the United States that we are so powerful and self-sufficient that we don't need foreign languages. Yet, people all over the world speak two or more languages well and these people will tell you they are the richer for it. The Real Ebonics Debate, written by linguists, educators, teachers, and students, and edited by two powerful writers, shows that respect for a home language is essential if African American children are to be allowed a level playing field See net neutrality. . The shameful distortions of and "jokes" about the Oakland School Board's intentions and its resolution have been costly. Finding ways to talk with each other, as many ways as possible, is what will save us. Reviewed by Sydney Gurewitz Clemens, Consultant and workshop facilitator, San Francisco, CA |
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