Students right to Ebonics
... Black language, better known as Ebonics, has been the topic of debate between language experts across the country. ... But recently Ebonics has been classified as a language. ... If the teacher can find a way to reach students by talking like them so that they can understand and be interested, than more people are going to be reached rather than using “good” English and losing the class. “We affirm strongly that teachers must have the experiences and training that will enable them to respect diversity and uphold the right of students to their own language” (Students Rights). It is important that these students can in turn use Standard English to communicate with others outside the Ebonics world. ... Maybe someday Ebonics will be accepted and understood by everyone, but until then it is very important to be able to speak Standard English. “Children taught using Ebonics readers did worse than their peers who were taught with Standard English readers” (Stix 3). With that in mind, “Robert Williams, who coined the term Ebonics in 1973, maintained that it is an act of disrespect for a white teacher to correct a black child” (Stix 13). ... Ebonics is fine to know and communicate with whether in school or in the community, just make sure that Standard English is understood.