The Oakland, California School Board’s resolution to incorporate Black English into its curriculum has driven an even deeper wedge between educators and the general public. Seeming to offend as many Black as Whites, however, the Ebonics issue struggles to find a sizeable advocacy group. Should Ebonics be given a chance or simply passed off as ludicrous? What is Nigrit Ebonics? Is Black English a language or a dialect? Is language genetic?
Guests: Berleter Hall is author of language as a tool of genocide. She has been working with the Los Angeles School District to formulate an Ebonics program in the schools. Dr. Howard Holt is a linguist and the author of Explaining Nigritic Ebonics in Education.Jacqueline Wolf is a reading specialist with a Masters in Education Psychology.
(2003)
