Please read the "Ebonics" piece (posted in Course Documents) and also watch these three videos:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2H1dMbkYa4&feature=related
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gXnZKUG_ic&feature=related
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aM8VU47pKU&feature=related
Pose a deep question related to either the article or the video clips on the Blog (feel free to share your thoughts as well) and then go back and respond to someone else's question by Monday.
My goal is to help prepare you for writing the next critical paper about your documentary of choice. The first step is to prepare a thoughtful sociological question that will engage you and the reader. Thus, do not simply focus on Rev. Wright's thoughts as an individual, but instead consider the larger implications. Let's get into it!
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The National Press Club promises the following: "to promote social enjoyment among the members, to cultivate literary taste, to encourage friendly intercourse among newspapermen and those with whom they were thrown in contact in the pursuit of their vocation, to aid members in distress and to foster the ethical standards of the profession.
ReplyDeleteWhich of these promises did Rev. Wright fullfil for the press club? What were his actual intentions? And theirs?
Thanks for starting us off well, Ms. Downing. You raise interesting questions, and I will also encourage you and others to consider broader questions that look beyond individual factors and consider larger social patterns or issues.
ReplyDeleteRev. Wright informed the National Press club about the black churches its liberation and transformation. With this being said, how can the churches of today become liberated or transformed if they continue to give up the traditions of the churches in the past? What is the actual solution for the churches of today? Should they get back to the basics or move forward?
ReplyDeletewhen rev wright says that the god the people on the top of the slaveship pray to is not the same god that the slaves on the bottom pray too so is he down playing the god that white pray too?
ReplyDeleteREV Wright talked about different issues i understood some but not all..what i didnt understand is what did REV Wright mean about being different and deficient?? if im not mistaken he is talking about hiw we all have our own view or compfort zone in particular situations..ARE SHAW UNIVERITY STUDENT AND TEACHERS DIFFERENT OR DEFICIENT FROM HARVED STUDENT AND TEACHERS?
ReplyDeleteI found interesting the comment that Rev Wright made @ being liberated. How liberation is for those being liberated as well as those doing the liberation. As liberation is the act of setting free from opperession or confinement, why has the Black Church not yet been liberated??
ReplyDeleteIn response to Ms. Watson...Yes according to the definition of liberation/liberated; it means to be set free, the act or fact of giving equal rights or full social opportunities for a particular group. It is my belief that the black churches continues to stand on what God has for them. As long as the black church continue to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, things will work out. It is not necessarily the black church, but certain individuals within the church(es) that are not liberated. They have to be set free from within themselves first. Once this takes place, a change will take place. There has to be a renewing of the mindset of the Leaders of the Black Church.
ReplyDeleteRev. Wright mentioned that 11:00 Sundays were the most segregated hour. Also that the black church was invisible in the eyes of the dominant culture. I certainly believe the black church is invaluable. How do we get other cultures to notice the invaluableness of the black church? Will we ever or are we moving from alienation to reconciliation, so that this hour is not segregated?
ReplyDeleteRev.Wright speaking about the different labels that the churchs are having I would like to know is this an additional reason why African Americans are still divide within our race?
ReplyDeleteJennifer, that is a great question. Sunday's are the most segregated day of the week. We all work, shop, and intermingle throughout the entire week until Sunday. I believe there must be reconciliation to avoid alienation. There was a recent story in the news where two churches blended services. It was very powerful.
ReplyDeleteSheesh I feel some type of way since everyone blogged about the videos and Im the only one blogging about the article...The fact that everyone and every state is different and might not have that drive that Dr. Greenfield has to push students to do their greatest is scary...How do we know that there are others out their with same drive as Dr. G and what if they have that thinking mentality of "every man for themselves" then what do we do? How do we fix this?
ReplyDeleteDana, I share your concerns for the Black church. Black churches have been the centers of communities, serving as school sites in early years, taking up social welfare functions, such as providing for the indigent, and establish schools, orphanages and prison ministries. As a result, black churches have built strong community organizations and provided spiritual and political leadership, especial during the civil rights movement. The Black church transformed and liberated its members on many levels. Perhaps the question should read, "Should the Black church get back to basics TO move forward?" The Black church is, without doubt, invaluable and should not give up the traditions on which it was established. Instead, it should continue to uplift those traditions to gain strength and mobility within all communities.
ReplyDeleteFrom the article "Black English:Steppin Up? Lookin Back" piece, the signifyin lessons stood out to me. I remember growing up and hearing my mother say some of those things to me. My question is with the younger generation not incorporating "signifyin", could that be a reason some children seem to be out of control? If this idea of signifyin had been passed down, could this have had some affect on how this younger generation view respect for themselves and others?
ReplyDeleteDana, I agree with some of the things you have stated about the Black churches. Yes there are some within the church who has not been liberated, but in the same token some of the leaders within the church have also not been liberated. I feel that to a point some Black churches have moved away from the strong connections that was once held within the community. As Ms Green states,"...black churches have built strong community organizations...", however that doesn't seem to be the case in today's time with many of the Black churches. It appears that some are more concern with appearances and how big they could grow their congregation. And to answer Ms Green's question, yes the Black churches should get back to the basics. The closeness of the church and community have been lost.
ReplyDeleteThe article brought back many memories growing up during my childhood. The very interesting part about the article to me is the "code-switching." Just having to "code-switch" from going crazy. I believe that we all do this from time to time. With this being said, do you think it is relevant to "code-switch" just to stay connnected to who you are as person? Do you have to "code-switch" to show your intelligence or that you know how and when to turn it "on and "off?" or Do you have to "code-switch" to remain within your culture?
ReplyDeleteCheryl....to answer part of question in reference to control of our children. During our time of growing, we knew better to talk back at our parents or else! In today's time, children are having children and they do not know what to do with the child. The grandparents are raising many of them within the communties and society. I believe if this "signifying" had been passed down correctly the younger generation would most definitely have more respect for themselves, the family, and others who are around them.
ReplyDeletethe article bought back very familiar situations for me also. i think it was interestin that every time the writer stated somthing true the aduience clapped and cheered. but i am crazy and all over the place with this "code- switching" concept, i feel like ebonics is a language and if someone doesnt understand it you should just kater to there language if you can!
ReplyDeletei think that black churches are not liberated as much because of their standpoint in life. The move away for better jobs and find god in other ways. Also African Americans lost thier sense of brotherhood. In these times it all about capitalisim in America. In a way it has always been that way but the blacks where behind. Once black churches help more people understand that they are diffrent but not dificient in soceity. My Qustion, is when are people going to see that we are all human beings and let us find are real change in life
ReplyDeleteAre we disengaging ourselves from our culture if we begin to lose sight of the ability to code-switch? It is very relaxing at the end of the day to talk amongst others in a relaxed format and connect on a different level. In a professional atmosphere, I believe we "AA" are judged by how articulate we are. If you are not able to speak in a quote "professional manner", in corporate America. You will not go very far.
ReplyDeleteCheryl & Dana, to add to you comments, "Signfyin Lessons" was a way of life when was growing-up in the 60's 70's. It was out of respect for those older than us and fear of our parents' punishments that kept us on the "straigh and narrow" I raised my children the same way, but the "now " generation doses not have tose same values, I see this in my grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteTo Mr. dontrell26, to answer ur question sir, I most definitely feel like he was down playen the gods that whites pray too. “But Mr. Mangle how could you say such a thing.” After recent studies and personal observation I have come to the conclusion that whites have a long history of bearing false witness. “European Christianity has effectively removed and or hidden any traces of the African origins of not only Christianity, but all the major world religions, thereby keeping the people of African descent in the (dark) about their significant contributions to religion- which is the study of man’s true spiritual relationship to his creator.”
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, if I were to pose an intellectual question about the Wright speech, it would be as follows:
ReplyDeleteShould the invisible institution stay invisible, so that liberation theology can remain intact?
If not, what effects would the majority have on the black church if the two were to intertwine?
Just wanted to add that I respect the black church and see it as one of the strongest and most valuable contribution to the African American Culture. I was raised going to Catholic Churches, and my first time at a black church was in the Army, and it is a completly different experience, and I truly enjoyed the vibe, it was different, in a good way.
ReplyDeleteThe main focus of the black church seems to be more in line with operating as a business. When I grew up, the black church was responsible for empowering, mentoring and challenging the people to rise above their oppression.
ReplyDeleteAs Mrs Downing stated AA are judged sometimes by how articulate we are, however, it is not the fault of European America. I feel that AAs should take ownership of this. Why? do I say this? Because people can only treat you the way you allow them to. It has been instilled in the African American culture that White Europeans knows best. Why should anyone have to resort to code switching?
ReplyDelete