Garrard McClendon on Black English - Ebonics

Ebonics is on the hot seat with Garrard McClendon's appearance on Chicago Tonight.

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[specialcounsels]

I love you for this, I am going to buy as many of your books as possible and hand them out to our children.

[garrardmc]

Thanks for the compliment...just trying to do my part in the struggle for freedom and equality.

Keep YouTubing.

Garrard

[hannibaltharadio]

ok, code switch - Juwanza Kunjufu or Neely Fuller?? Also, the strategy you suggest was called double consciousness by web dubois and booker t washington...

[garrardmc]

Yes indeed...Dunbar (We wear the mask), W.E.B. (The Veil)...

[garrardmc]

African Americans are scrutinized more. For instance, "gonna" is not considered standard, but is accepted by mainstream Americans. "Gon" with a long "o" in "I'm gon go to the store" is considered unacceeptable and more prone to correction. Why? They're both incorrect. Black English is always considered sub-standard, before other dialects.

[hueyot]

Garrard: I think the book would be much more appropriate if you didn't label the book as "Black English", considering that so many colors of people speak that way. Although you state that black Americans are the most affected (negatively) by using improper/formal Enlgish, why not try to be more inclusive with the title of the book? Aren't all Americans without the skills to speak English professionally, regardless of color, your target for improvement with your teachings?

[garrardmc]

African Americans are scrutinized more. For instance, "gonna" is not considered standard, but is accepted by mainstream Americans. "Gon" with a long "o" in "I'm gon go to the store" is considered unacceeptable and more prone to correction. Why? They're both incorrect. Black English is always considered sub-standard, before other dialects.

[Archedgar]

This guy is doing a great job, he is teaching them that presentation matters, which it absolutely does.

I am shocked that blacks are calling him a racist, only in this day and age would a dedicated teacher be accused of racism for trying to improve the chances of teenagers and even adults of landing good jobs.

No good deed goes unpunished.

[justmom66]

There has to be some point when people stop blaming everyone else but themselves and take personal responsibility for there skills or lack there of. Playing the blame game is grown stag net and ignorant at this point in history.

[MrPrice2U]

@garrardmc great point-doing your part on equality! Thats what this is all about. It's sad to see that black americans consider success being part the "white" lifestyle. So sad. Thank you for your effort and hang in there.

[gregruz45]

What a guy! Right on

[originaljawz]

i'll bet any money that this is a movie in the making with Denzel Washington headlining it.

[stchman]

I commend this man on wanting to educate children. My problem is that he teaches poor grammar is acceptable under relaxed circumstances. I think a person should enunciate properly all the time. It should be a lifelong habit.

[familyoriginstree]

cultures which lack complex communication also tend to be slow to progress. Or, even if the language is complex but the owners don't have a command of it, you see the same results.

So, yeah should do better and stop making excuses. Code switching only works for those that have been properly educated in the first place unfortunately. Many young blacks here in Atlanta are simply stuck in one way of communicating. I can code switch at will and it has saved my life on a few occasions.

[familyoriginstree]

tcha0918, this is so true. As societies evolve and become more knowledgeable and technically advanced, language becomes more complicated. This is necessary to comprehend more complex ideas and processes. Blacks that cannot speak properly limit themselves They limit their vocabulary which makes understanding more complex ideas extremely difficult. The allegedly black vernacular in many respects in anything but a good thing when it hinders our development. To prove my point, notice that most....

[tcha0918]

Standard forms of language is a necessity for a society to run smoothly. But at the same time, we should be open-minded for all different kinds of English varieties in the world, not only in US.

[UltraPOPDJ]

You know, I was raised not only in an environment, but in a home where Standard English was used. First of all, the guy most definitely sounds black. In other words he has that twang in his voice and that's OK. You can still use proper "grammar" and be who you are. I may not sound black because I just was not raised in a black environment, and I have not forgotten where my roots are. I am absolutely proud and will be forever more of my heritage! Knowledge is king and practice makes permanent!

[mvgg]

im brazilian...american too (south america)...english is not may 1st language...like 99% of the world...sorry.