English or Englishes?

In contemplating different aspects of what defines each and every one of us, I started thinking about language and the role it plays in making us who we are.  Not only language, but also the ways that language is spoken, manipulated, and used.  It is a means through which our thoughts, emotions, ideas, memories can be communicated; a means through which we connect as human beings, a common ground.  It can be a comfort, it can be an annoyance, it can be too much, and it can be not enough.  Language can be beautiful.  However, we live in a country where there is a particular culture that is in power, dictating various ways we interact with society and each other.  One of these ways is the language we use.  This culture of power commands the use of one particular way of speaking, presenting oneself, communicating with others, regardless of who you are, how you grew up, and the culture in which you live.  This culture demands the usage of “formal” English, ignoring the existence of all the other englishes that exist in this country, including black English, or Ebonics that is a part of the culture of some African American citizens.  There has been some talk about the “validity” of black English, mostly about its place in education I think.  Do we correct students when they use Black English or no?  If so, when?  If not, why?

            On one hand of the argument, you have this undeniable system in which the black students, and all citizens, live that requires a particular way of speaking for access to certain communities such as academic communities.  On the other hand, any person ought to have the right to participate in their own culture’s language, especially in school when students are learning about themselves in this world and how to express themselves in this world.  So how do we balance these two seemingly opposed realities?  How can we expose the existence of “formal English” –  teaching students who might use black English how to engage in it and the necessity of knowing it in this country – without devaluing black English in their eyes?  Honestly, I don’t really know the answer to that question.  It would take a lot of humility from our educators to be able to be real with students about how this country views their culture.  It would take a lot of tact from educators to be able to free students’ voices and their ability to express themselves in any kind of way – within their own culture and the culture that dominates the country.  More applicably, what would it look like for citizens who are in the culture that has power – whether having gained access through birth or education or some other way – to trouble the rigid standards and homogenous expectations that hold command in this country?  I think if this mastering kind of culture is going to be broken down, it would more than likely have to happen “from within,” so how can we fight against the status quo of “formal English” and open up our country to all englishes so that future students, future immigrants, future citizens don’t have to feel burdened by normalized forms of English? 

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