If you were one of the 75 who sat in the Black Action Society discussion with Michael Eric… If you were one of the 75 who sat in the Black Action Society discussion with Michael Eric Dyson, and did not question or critically analyze Mr. Dyson’s comment “Ebonics is a sophisticated language which needs to be appreciated over time,” then you are guilty of “dummifying” our children. As an assistant teacher at Duquesne Middle School, I am placing you, along with the systematic societal ills of unequal distribution of social goods, at fault for the fact that only 10 percent of our third graders were proficient in reading and writing (PSSA results, Duquesne School District, 2005). The National Leadership Network of Conservative African-Americans called this issue on what it is, when they said, “This is a disservice to the black community, and it will severely limit our children’s skills in the job market.” I agree with Kevin Martin of Project 21 that Ebonics is a prime example of what people call “the soft bigotry of low expectations.” When we set low expectations for our children, that’s all we get, and that’s all that we have gotten.

In connection, schools such as San Bernadino, Calif., are piloting “Ebonics programs,” professing they are targeting black students, the lowest-achieving group in the districts. Well, I believe the word “targets” is exactly right. I can’t think of a better way to keep an underclass down. Why justify and celebrate speech or gutter language that moves us nowhere positive? As W.E.B. Dubois eloquently put it “Black Americans have many talents to give to America.” Ebonics is not part of them. Further and laughably, people claim that Ebonics is similar to a foreign language, like Spanish; so tell me where the country of “Ebonica” that this language has originated from is, and how does proficiency in this language help our children in the job market?

Lastly, many people find fault with Bill Cosby’s brutal truths. Well, if you feel they are wrong, what good does profusely writing books to disprove him instead of actively working to bolster our suffering community do? Stop complaining, and take responsibility. Here’s your start: Please get involved in our community, mentor our youth, because they are infatuated with people such as 50 Cent, pimps and violence, watch “The Boondocks” from time to time for stimulation (we don’t know how long this show will be allowed to air), and limit “College Hill” and similar B.E.T. shows because they are poor representations of everything.

Yo so’s get at me if ya wanna holla at deze wourdz homies

Savanna Stillgess

[email protected]

April 06′ Bachelor of Philosophy with Honors in Psychology and Honors in Sociology