Reading Response #21 (Smitherman)

Summary:

     In the article "'God Don't Never Change': Black English from a Black Perspective" by Geneva Smitherman, the concept of stylistic differences in writing between blacks and whites is discussed. Smitherman argues how "Black English" should not be seen as incorrect simply because of grammatical error. She believes that it is merely a style of writing and sees people who disagree as racist, thinking that they are oppressing the Black English language. Smitherman uses examples of black students who received bad grades due to their grammar in order to explain her point.


Synthesis:

     This article is strongly related to other articles we have read--Delpit, Wardle, Flynn--regarding identity in writing. Each of these authors believes that identity shapes the way a person a writes. This article also relates to articles based on discourse communities--Swales, Gee, etc.--because the Black English language can be seen as its discourse community.



Questions for Discussion and Journaling:

2. Smitherman is using Black Idiom rhetorically by giving specific examples and using the Black English language throughout her article. She is trying to make this effective for her argument to prove her points by using her ideas upfront.

3. Language promotes power for specific races and classes because for example, in the society, we see an overwhelming white/English majority. Arguably, English-speaking whites have the most power. Literacy plays a huge role in power. It is believed that certain classes/races have specific positions of "power," and the most powerful must be highly literate--correct grammar, usage, overall language, etc.



Personal Response:

     I thought this article was pretty interesting, mostly because it sparked my attention to my own beliefs and brought to light exactly how society is regarding literacy and race. I do not exactly agree with Smitherman, though. I do not think it is racist or oppressing to blacks if we see some of their grammar as incorrect. It is simply the way we were taught the English language, so anything else is considered "wrong." As an English major, grammar is important to me. It is not the most important in my mind, but I know mostly what is correct and what is not. I think that it is okay for everyone to have their own style and language, but at the same time, we should not be called racist for telling a black student that they may have some grammar mistakes. I learned specific ways of English grammar and language, and that it is what it is.