In Lisa Delpit's essay, "The Politics of Teaching Literate Discourse", there is an argument that Gee's idea of discourses send racial messages to African-Americans and their ability to engage in certain discourses. First off, I found it ironic that Delpit referred to two of the writers we read about in class (Hooks and Rose). But more seriously, I have to say I agree with her findings. I think the most important part that she realized was that the learning of the discourses doesn't have to heavily rely on the student, and that the teachers play a huge role in removing the sense of racism and inability that some students may encounter when trying to become part of a discourse.
Deplit does this by first saying "teachers must acknowledge and validate students' home language without using it to limit students' potential" (553). She is accurate by saying that students may learn best by using their home language, and that shouldn't be denied in the classroom because that isn't what is used in other discourses. I like her idea of "adding" (533) to a students home discourse.
Her second rule of thumb for teachers is that "[teachers] must understand that students who appear to be unable to learn are in many instaces choosing to "not-learn"...choosing to maintain their sense of identity in the face of what they perceive as a painful choice between allegiagne to "them" or "us" " (533). I almost think this goes with the first part Delpit explained, as the best way to get students able to learn is to let them use their own home discourse mixed with the discourse the teacher is trying to teach. Its important for students to gain a sense of security from a teacher. Security in the discourse comes from a teacher who isn't going to judge a student because he uses his home discourse over the one the teacher wants the student to learn.
Delpits final idea is that teachers should "acknoweldge the unfair "discourse-stacking" that our society engages in" (554). I like that she wants teachers to realize when they are "stacking" and when they are "mixing" discourses, because there is a difference. Discourses are better learned when they are mixed in to a student's home discourse.
Rachel-
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting that Delpit related to other writers we have talked about in class such as Rose and Hooks. I couldn't agree more with your agruments you stated above talking about how the teachers play a huge role in removing racism and making the students feel like they can become a part of discourse. I also liked the way she used the term "adding" as an idea of using the students home discourse as well. Overall, teachers can make a difference if they are willing to make that commitment and based off of your ideas I feel that by having the teacher help the students by letting them "mix their discourses" from home to school this is a major part in making it a welcomed environment.
Interesting thoughts. I was under the impression, however, that Delpit was suggesting not to include the students' home discourse at all and instead have them only use Standard English discourse. For example, she says, "I am reminded of one educator of adult African-American veterans who insisted that her students needed to develop their "own voices" by developing "fluency" in their home language. Her students vociferously objected, demanding that they be taught grammar, punctuation, and 'Standard English'." (551) In the next paragraph, she calls such teachers "well-intentioned", insinuating to me that only Standard English is appropriate in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI did not get the impression that Delpit wants teachers and students to mix discourses, but I think that it sounds like a good idea.
"teachers must acknowledge and validate students' home language without using it to limit students' potential" (553) I think that this is a really interesting point she makes. Because although teachers have to realize that "standard English" doesn't come naturally to some student because of their home dialect, that's not to say that they can't learn how to use "standard English". So then they're not asking them to deny their original way of speaking or "primary discourse" but just add on to that.
ReplyDeleteI really like the point you pull from the essay, "Teachers must understand that students who appear to be unable to learn are in many instaces choosing to "not-learn". For many of us who are going to be teachers this point that Delpit makes is going to be one of the greatest struggles. I also agree with you in thinking that her advice to not limit what students are allowed to say will give us, as teachers, the greatest success. Mixing the two dicsourses makes such a good point. It would make it so much easier for the student to work between the two discourses if there was a litle of each in the other, and they weren't black and white.
ReplyDelete