In my opinion, because American slaves were beaten for reading and writing, the underlying ideology supporting critical literacy has been prevalent in the African American use of language. Critical literacy "involves understanding the ways in which language and literacy are used to accomplish social ends"(Dozier,2006). Freedom from slavery was an ultimate social end. African Americans who were literate were considered a threat because the oppressor knew the knowledge would allow for a liberation. If slaves were capable of learning a language not formally taught for them, it was very possible that they were just as intelligent as their owners, therefore unfairly, subjugated to the slavery system. So, cultural, and critical literacy has always been important to our race and existence in America.
Literacy in our culture has many facets and purposes because of the dual relationship we have with it. Our relationship with literacy has caused us to be respected and envied as well as disrepected. If we master the languge and it many rules, people often ignorantly comment, "Wow, you speak so well." as if we cracked a top secret code. this just kills me sometimes. Yet, our mis-use of language causes us to be disrespected and judged. The envy stems from the rich soulful slang that bears so many meanings which in itself creates another dialect that ostracizes many.
In my family, literacy had many dimensions. It has often been used to "question power relations" (Shor, 1999))My grandmother raised us to listen to what people didn't say. She always told me to pay attention to how people spoke to you and what their responses entailed. Even though most of the time we had pleasant conversations with other people, she often gave me the translation after we left the presence of the person. The purpose behind her translations shaped the way I feel about words, people and life. I am always trying to figure out what is really being said on the news or in the newspaper or in casual conversation. I always serach for the double meaning hidden behind words.
This "conscious" literacy has lent itself well for me to practice critical literacy. In some ways, I use my gift of language to advance my cause to improve upon the lives of others. In other ways, I relish in the beauty of language and the creative evolutionary use of it. For example, in our culture, when someone is about to tell a lie in story format, they often begin with the phrase, "See... what had happened was...." And I just think this type of codeswitching is an amazing abuse and humorous manipulation of an antiquated stale language that was once used to keep us out.
Have you ever heard of a sociocultural theory called the 'plantation mentality'? This theory helps to explain the differences in values between those who have a place for literacy and those who do not. There were 'house slaves' and 'field slaves'. This concept also applies to whites as well as others. While we assume that everyone ascribes to a better life, a life where all could benefit from the wisdom that literacy can bring many ascribe to a life of aliteracy. Another problem exists in that there are apparently many forms of literacy such as technoliteracy, ecoliteracy, oral literacy, medialiteracy, cultural literacy, critical literacy and more. Some individuals are very selective about the forms of literacy that they acknowledge (male-based sport literacy?)and have a tendency to marginalize those who do not understand forms of literacy that they hold in high regard. Are there literacy hierarchies based on perceived socioeconomic value?
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, literacies have a tendency to be extraordinarily expressive and creative. Each tells a complex story having ethical, cultural and human lessons.
If a polyglot is one who can speak many languages, what would we call someone who has the ability to engage in and understand multiple literacies?
A piglet!!!
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