Erica Parker
Southland, MI
“Ebonics is retarded and anyone who speaks it is just showing their lack of a working knowledge of the English language.” These are the words that sparked an hour-long argument in the Student Life Center at my high school. These are the words from a White, wealthy, suburban boy who honestly believed that his opinion would not be disputed in a room half-full of Black classmates, all of whom speak slightly different degrees of AAVE. These were the words that he would not redact, would not apologize for, would not see the error in even after the concepts of linguistic subordination and interlanguage were explained. After a history of refusing education, then demeaning those without it was explained. After the truth of etymology and its demeaning role in our language today was explained. These are the words that made me give up on justice through kind explanation and education. These are the words that were the final spark in a belly full of rage that corroded my insides like kerosene. These are the words that took away my hope for my generation.
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