Rochester NY – Black Kids Need Black English

If only this weren’t true:

 It’s called Black English Vernacular – or more commonly – Ebonics.

In a newsletter to staff, Rochester City School District officials say it is OK for students and teachers to speak Ebonics in class.

The newsletter, Diversity Dialogue, suggests teachers use BEV to communicate with students. It says teachers can:

• “Switch into BEV in specific situations or informal discussion.”

• “Translate common phrases in Standard English into BEV.”

• “Read and retell stories in both BEV and Standard English.”

“We need to embrace the diversity they bring into our schools,” said the district’s Chief of Diversity and Leadership, Michele Hancock.

The whole issue was hashed out a decade ago when the Oakland School Board pushed the Ebonics issue.  Its not surprising to see that this horrible idea survives in the very institution which ought to be outraged at the thought of typecasting black children as being unable or unwilling to learn Standard English.  Their ability (or lack thereof) to express themselves in the American Culture is critical to their success.  Just as it is for a White or and Asian or a Hispanic child.    And its very obvious even to those who are being pandered to by the Rochester School District:

 ”What if one of your teachers started speaking Ebonics to you tomorrow? I would think they were crazy!” said Jada Scott, an 8^th grader.

 “I just think that’s outrageous. Ebonics, that’s something that kids speak out in the street with their friends, it’s not something to be encouraged in the classroom,” said Maxine Humphrey, a high school senior.

“I think it’s not a good idea,” said senior Candice Scott. “If we learn to speak Ebonics and we get into the real world, I don’t think it’s going to be of any help to us.“

“I don’t think it’s a very good idea. I think it’s more important for the kids to reach up to the school standards, instead of the school coming down to the kid’s level,” said parent Melynda Scott.