To the Editor
It is written.
In an age where language and knowledge has been used to exclude African peoples, remember what role does "Ebonics" play? For I hope we all remember when the SAT had to be reevaluated because the questions bared no relevance to the lives of African-Americans being tested.
The black is not suddenly accepted into the big-house of knowledge that fills countless western libraries. The writing down of oral histories is precisely the mechanism used by the colonizer to trap its victims. The present Bible is not that which came from the mouth of God and Christ. That's why those books were hidden at Nag Hammadi. People of that knew the word would be perverted. "Acknowledge all that lies plainly before you and all that is hidden will be revealed to you.", Jesus Christ.
The capturing of a social discourse removes its ability to evolve with those who are involved. Language is organic. Words have parents, cousins, aunts, and twins. To encase it in formaldehyde and stuff it in archival space is the end of its lifeforce. "Black vernacular" has gotten so much attention because it remains lively when it has been recorded so little. This is another example of the linear-thinking western scientific mind attempting to isolate a specimen and thereby have it understood, maybe for future reference. Pigeon hole?
Ok I'm your middle school teacher and it's time to learn grammar. I understand that the way you speak is indicative to your approach to conversation however if you would like to engage in a discourse with the rest of the western world, which is why we are learning "english" today, youwould phrase your statement like this... As if to insinuate that if I decide not to participate white america can wash its hands of me. "Hey brother, we tried."
part one of two
Copyright © 1997, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 125, Number 13; February 7, 1996
Contact Review webmaster with suggestions or comments at ocreview@www.oberlin.edu.
Contact Review editorial staff at oreview@oberlin.edu.