Bigotry of a Teachers Union
January 22, 2003 11:49 PM Subscribe
Bigotry of a Teachers Union The New Jersey Education Association, a Teachers Union, has a website that contains brochures called "Getting Involved in Your Child's School." It comes in three versions: English, Spanish, and African-American. [more inside]
And if the file goes down, I have a copy of it I can post. Just let me know....
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 11:50 PM on January 22, 2003
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 11:50 PM on January 22, 2003
Wow.... VERY interesting find. I'm stunned that they would put something so obvious out there for people to click & compare versions (as opposed to mailing out versions pre-screened to the parents of children, where no white & african american versions would ever end up side by side). Surreal.
posted by jonson at 11:59 PM on January 22, 2003
posted by jonson at 11:59 PM on January 22, 2003
Inexcusable.
Far, far off topic: Look at the Spanish version--it uses constructions like "hijos/as" (sons/daughters) to refer to children, instead of "hijos." In the Spanish of Spain, "hijos" traditionally refers to both groups of sons or groups of sons and daughters. "Hijas" is used only when the entire group is composed of females. I don't know whether the NJEA's usage is a regional variation or an attempt at political correctness. It's interesting either way.
posted by hippugeek at 12:04 AM on January 23, 2003
Far, far off topic: Look at the Spanish version--it uses constructions like "hijos/as" (sons/daughters) to refer to children, instead of "hijos." In the Spanish of Spain, "hijos" traditionally refers to both groups of sons or groups of sons and daughters. "Hijas" is used only when the entire group is composed of females. I don't know whether the NJEA's usage is a regional variation or an attempt at political correctness. It's interesting either way.
posted by hippugeek at 12:04 AM on January 23, 2003
It appears they have switched the files:
Orignal English Version
African-American Version
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 12:05 AM on January 23, 2003
Orignal English Version
African-American Version
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 12:05 AM on January 23, 2003
On second thought, as I guess these files will not be around long, I also have them on my server. If you can stand a "self-link" please do not use the above blog's (polynomia) bandwidth.
Orignal English Version
African-American Version
Spanish Version
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 12:16 AM on January 23, 2003
Orignal English Version
African-American Version
Spanish Version
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 12:16 AM on January 23, 2003
I thought that it was kinda offensive the way the African-American version was done as a rap.
posted by holloway at 12:26 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by holloway at 12:26 AM on January 23, 2003
Thank you for the links, Steve.
I agree with the writers at OpinionJournal - the African-American version is better. It conveys the same message in almost half the words.
The 'dumbing down' aspect, however, is probably the most insulting thing I've seen in quite a while. Hoaxes that try to make a buck out of shock value can be insulting but a serious site put together by a teachers union! One would wish that this was a hoax as well...
Again, thank you for the links. I expect to be seeing this story in the headlines soon. I also suspect that there will be a few heads rolling at the teachers union. :)
P.S. I like your blog, Steve.
posted by cup at 1:14 AM on January 23, 2003
I agree with the writers at OpinionJournal - the African-American version is better. It conveys the same message in almost half the words.
The 'dumbing down' aspect, however, is probably the most insulting thing I've seen in quite a while. Hoaxes that try to make a buck out of shock value can be insulting but a serious site put together by a teachers union! One would wish that this was a hoax as well...
Again, thank you for the links. I expect to be seeing this story in the headlines soon. I also suspect that there will be a few heads rolling at the teachers union. :)
P.S. I like your blog, Steve.
posted by cup at 1:14 AM on January 23, 2003
The African-American version also contains the logo (an endorsement?) of the Black Ministers' Council of New Jersey, which is an interesting twist. Would it still be considered bigotry if an African-American-led organization was responsible for the edited version?
posted by 4easypayments at 2:27 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by 4easypayments at 2:27 AM on January 23, 2003
Would it still be considered bigotry if an African-American-led organization was responsible for the edited version?
It's not really bigotry, but rather politically correct "soft racism", presumably created so that black people don't have to suffer the indignity of education. Because as you know, "education" is equivalent to "selling out" to the "white power structure". *yawn*
Ten of Larry Elder's "Fifteen Ways to Avoid Being Called an 'Uncle Tom'"
posted by hama7 at 2:50 AM on January 23, 2003
It's not really bigotry, but rather politically correct "soft racism", presumably created so that black people don't have to suffer the indignity of education. Because as you know, "education" is equivalent to "selling out" to the "white power structure". *yawn*
Ten of Larry Elder's "Fifteen Ways to Avoid Being Called an 'Uncle Tom'"
posted by hama7 at 2:50 AM on January 23, 2003
I've seen that before... Oh yeah, it was here... ;)
immitation, and all that...
posted by twine42 at 3:02 AM on January 23, 2003
immitation, and all that...
posted by twine42 at 3:02 AM on January 23, 2003
immitation, and all that...
Imitation, or the color lavender?
posted by hama7 at 3:16 AM on January 23, 2003
Imitation, or the color lavender?
posted by hama7 at 3:16 AM on January 23, 2003
This is a perfect example of what President Bush means when he speaks about the bigotry of low expectations. It's also very telling -- presumably, many of the African-American parents that the NJTA assumes could not comprehend the "White" text were educated in NJ schools by NJTA members. This raises the question -- in condescending choosing to treat African-Americans as lesser-literates, have they've unwittingly admitted that NJ public schools have done a crappy job of educating African-American students?
posted by Dreama at 4:10 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by Dreama at 4:10 AM on January 23, 2003
D'oh. You know, MeFi needs a spell checker...
D'oh. ;)
If you look at the design, there are a large number of similarities...
Both use #9999cc and #666699 for the lavender colours, with a #333366 border line. The main panel is while the side bar is #f0f0f0 with a 1px dashed #000000 line down the side of it.
They use what looks like an identical footer, although I'll admit they do switch a couple of colours, they are still the same RGB codes.
Especially considering the site is written in PHP, and therefore the designers will at least know of php.net as a site, the similarities are too close for co-incidence...
IMNSHO....
posted by twine42 at 4:11 AM on January 23, 2003
D'oh. ;)
If you look at the design, there are a large number of similarities...
Both use #9999cc and #666699 for the lavender colours, with a #333366 border line. The main panel is while the side bar is #f0f0f0 with a 1px dashed #000000 line down the side of it.
They use what looks like an identical footer, although I'll admit they do switch a couple of colours, they are still the same RGB codes.
Especially considering the site is written in PHP, and therefore the designers will at least know of php.net as a site, the similarities are too close for co-incidence...
IMNSHO....
posted by twine42 at 4:11 AM on January 23, 2003
In further reading -- the Spanish brochure is also written in rather dumbed down language. Not only does the NJEA make presumtions about African-Americans, they seem to feel that native Spanish-speaking parents are barely literate in their native language as well. Nice.
posted by Dreama at 4:12 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by Dreama at 4:12 AM on January 23, 2003
Dreama : of course it is possible that the reason the Spanish one is dumbed down is that their SPanish translator is dumb...
The African American one is much more of a worry to me...
posted by twine42 at 4:16 AM on January 23, 2003
The African American one is much more of a worry to me...
posted by twine42 at 4:16 AM on January 23, 2003
have they've unwittingly admitted that NJ public schools have done a crappy job of educating African-American students?
I think it's much worse than that.
posted by hama7 at 4:20 AM on January 23, 2003
I think it's much worse than that.
posted by hama7 at 4:20 AM on January 23, 2003
D'oh. You know, MeFi needs a spell checker...
doh! you know, mefi HAS a spell checker...
posted by quonsar at 4:33 AM on January 23, 2003
doh! you know, mefi HAS a spell checker...
posted by quonsar at 4:33 AM on January 23, 2003
doh! you know, mefi HAS a spell checker...
That was my point... Hence the second 'D'oh'.
Oh well. Not the highest form of humour, but I tried...
posted by twine42 at 4:35 AM on January 23, 2003
That was my point... Hence the second 'D'oh'.
Oh well. Not the highest form of humour, but I tried...
posted by twine42 at 4:35 AM on January 23, 2003
I heard about this yesterday, I highly doubt this will get much press attention. But good post Steve.
posted by ZupanGOD at 4:50 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by ZupanGOD at 4:50 AM on January 23, 2003
Not intentionally sidetracking things this time, did you know Homer's "doh" is predated by "d'oh" from Crackerjack in the early 70's?
Did you know? Probably not. Do you care? Probably not... ;)
posted by twine42 at 4:51 AM on January 23, 2003
Did you know? Probably not. Do you care? Probably not... ;)
posted by twine42 at 4:51 AM on January 23, 2003
This is a perfect example of what President Bush means when he speaks about the bigotry of low expectations.
If there's anyone who knows about this subject it would be Duhbya.
posted by nofundy at 4:52 AM on January 23, 2003
If there's anyone who knows about this subject it would be Duhbya.
posted by nofundy at 4:52 AM on January 23, 2003
I actually prefer the African American version. The English version is just as readable to me but is too laden with buzz words. It reads like something produced by a marketing department or an executive. When I see text like that it automatically cranks up my defenses a notch.
I think its pathetic that there are two english versions though, the goal in any communication should be to create something that your audience can understand, and in this case resonates with them. What if this were a speech done in front of the parents? You obviously couldn't ask the caucasians to step out while you spoke to the African americans and vice versa. You'd also look pretty ridiculous if you spoke two versions of the same speech back to back. You gear your speech to the audience that will receive it.
I can understand the Spanish version, since it's a different language entirely, but to do two versions based on differences in dialect may not be bigoted but is failing in the task that the writer should've been trying to accomplish.
posted by substrate at 4:52 AM on January 23, 2003
I think its pathetic that there are two english versions though, the goal in any communication should be to create something that your audience can understand, and in this case resonates with them. What if this were a speech done in front of the parents? You obviously couldn't ask the caucasians to step out while you spoke to the African americans and vice versa. You'd also look pretty ridiculous if you spoke two versions of the same speech back to back. You gear your speech to the audience that will receive it.
I can understand the Spanish version, since it's a different language entirely, but to do two versions based on differences in dialect may not be bigoted but is failing in the task that the writer should've been trying to accomplish.
posted by substrate at 4:52 AM on January 23, 2003
Substrate is right. There might be a good reason to have several versions of the parent handout, pitched at different levels of literacy, but I can't see it. Better to have a single version with a high-school reading vocabulary, in English and translated into whatever non-English languages are prevalent in the school's district. If parents want to talk academic-speak, let them make an appointment with the principal.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 5:31 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by aeschenkarnos at 5:31 AM on January 23, 2003
This could just as easily been titled: "The Bigotry of the Black Minister's Council of New Jersey." That entity appears as one of the sponsoring organizations on the brochure. Of course it wouldn't have quite the sex appeal or make any sense.
Attacking unions is apparently all the vogue now-a-days among the smart, young conservative set.
posted by mygoditsbob at 5:38 AM on January 23, 2003
Attacking unions is apparently all the vogue now-a-days among the smart, young conservative set.
posted by mygoditsbob at 5:38 AM on January 23, 2003
Devil's Advocate time: Isn't this the same state that has the poet-laureate problems? Maybe the teachers there have been dealing with the local African-American community long enough that they know what to expect by now.
posted by monkeyman at 6:46 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by monkeyman at 6:46 AM on January 23, 2003
If they have to dumb down the literature for us African American parents who knows how much they are dumbing down our children as well.
posted by ZupanGOD at 6:54 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by ZupanGOD at 6:54 AM on January 23, 2003
This isn't even a question of producing two versions that are in separate dialects; it's about taking one version and stripping it of any 'challenging' terminology.
They ought to label them 'Regular' and 'Jargon-free'.
That is, essentially, what they are.
posted by yellowcandy at 6:54 AM on January 23, 2003
They ought to label them 'Regular' and 'Jargon-free'.
That is, essentially, what they are.
posted by yellowcandy at 6:54 AM on January 23, 2003
local article on the topic. looks like the Wall Street Journal blew a hole in the NJEA a few days back, but I missed that article. Fascinating.
posted by djspicerack at 7:14 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by djspicerack at 7:14 AM on January 23, 2003
The African American one is much more of a worry to me...
My guess is that the Black Ministers Council sponsoring the black version was responsible for the "dumbing down." Could it be, perhaps, that they recognized that the parents of the kids in school perhaps needed something simpler to understand? Keep in mind that the brochure is trying to appeal to parents who probably have little to no interest in their child's education, so how is throwing something with big words and complex sentence structures going to be of any use?
Is it racist to say that kids at risk of dropping out of school probably have parents who never finished school? It's really not about race but poverty, and unfortunately there are more African Americans living in poverty than not.
However, on the flip side, I agree that the "dumbed down" version would probably be the most effective for anyone.
posted by archimago at 7:16 AM on January 23, 2003
My guess is that the Black Ministers Council sponsoring the black version was responsible for the "dumbing down." Could it be, perhaps, that they recognized that the parents of the kids in school perhaps needed something simpler to understand? Keep in mind that the brochure is trying to appeal to parents who probably have little to no interest in their child's education, so how is throwing something with big words and complex sentence structures going to be of any use?
Is it racist to say that kids at risk of dropping out of school probably have parents who never finished school? It's really not about race but poverty, and unfortunately there are more African Americans living in poverty than not.
However, on the flip side, I agree that the "dumbed down" version would probably be the most effective for anyone.
posted by archimago at 7:16 AM on January 23, 2003
Oh, cool. I just learned I speak fluent African-American. I'll have to add that to my resume.
(Note to the humor impaired: That was sarcasm. I'm saying the differentiation is ridiculous.)
posted by Soliloquy at 7:21 AM on January 23, 2003
(Note to the humor impaired: That was sarcasm. I'm saying the differentiation is ridiculous.)
posted by Soliloquy at 7:21 AM on January 23, 2003
in the uk we have the crystal mark 'to encourage organisations to communicate clearly with the public'.
posted by asok at 7:24 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by asok at 7:24 AM on January 23, 2003
This could just as easily been titled: "The Bigotry of the Black Minister's Council of New Jersey."
It is not necessarily apparent that the Black Minister's Council is the ones responsible for the crafting the "African-American" version of the brochure. They may just have a partner ship with the Teachers Union. Nevertheless, it was the Teachers Union that labeled that PDF file as "African-American" on their site. As YellowCandy noted, it could have been simply labeled 'Jargon-free' or something to that extent....
Is it racist to say that kids at risk of dropping out of school probably have parents who never finished school?
No, but this brochure was not targeted at parents who are drop-outs themselves, it was targeted at Black parents. It is inherently racist to automatically assume that one racial group as a whole is anything.
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 7:24 AM on January 23, 2003
It is not necessarily apparent that the Black Minister's Council is the ones responsible for the crafting the "African-American" version of the brochure. They may just have a partner ship with the Teachers Union. Nevertheless, it was the Teachers Union that labeled that PDF file as "African-American" on their site. As YellowCandy noted, it could have been simply labeled 'Jargon-free' or something to that extent....
Is it racist to say that kids at risk of dropping out of school probably have parents who never finished school?
No, but this brochure was not targeted at parents who are drop-outs themselves, it was targeted at Black parents. It is inherently racist to automatically assume that one racial group as a whole is anything.
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 7:24 AM on January 23, 2003
If it's a matter of income and level of involvement, it shouldn't have been called the african american version. Ebonics as a dialect is legitimate, but it differs from english in its syntactical rules and relatively little else; the authors are demonstrating not only racism but linguistic ignorance.
posted by Tlogmer at 7:25 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by Tlogmer at 7:25 AM on January 23, 2003
what ZupanGOD said.
posted by VulcanMike at 7:28 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by VulcanMike at 7:28 AM on January 23, 2003
Keep in mind that this is a teacher's union, not the NJ Board of Education. The schools probably had nothing to do with the production of this helpful brochure.
posted by archimago at 7:49 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by archimago at 7:49 AM on January 23, 2003
Tlogmer: True that Ebonics (or whatever you want to call it) is a legitimate dialect, but it's a spoken one, not written.
I agree those who say the black version is the better written of the two. The original sounds like it was written by someone who had something to prove. My girlfriend is a teacher, and from what I've noticed, it tends to be a very "buzz-wordy" profession.
posted by Gilbert at 8:00 AM on January 23, 2003
I agree those who say the black version is the better written of the two. The original sounds like it was written by someone who had something to prove. My girlfriend is a teacher, and from what I've noticed, it tends to be a very "buzz-wordy" profession.
posted by Gilbert at 8:00 AM on January 23, 2003
For those who didn't want to read the link posted by djspicerack.
But, NJEA spokeswoman Karen Joseph said, there was no attempt to "edit down" the downloadable brochure for the sake of blacks.
The organization originally produced the "parent's resource" on its own, then was approached by the Black Ministers' Council of New Jersey about distributing it to parents, Joseph said.
At that time, Joseph said, NJEA officials felt the first version was too wordy and they could improve it - not dumb it down - with some good old-fashioned editing.
When given a choice between attributing something like this to stupidity or malice, I usually go with stupidity. I find it's much more common.
posted by trust_no_one at 8:08 AM on January 23, 2003
But, NJEA spokeswoman Karen Joseph said, there was no attempt to "edit down" the downloadable brochure for the sake of blacks.
The organization originally produced the "parent's resource" on its own, then was approached by the Black Ministers' Council of New Jersey about distributing it to parents, Joseph said.
At that time, Joseph said, NJEA officials felt the first version was too wordy and they could improve it - not dumb it down - with some good old-fashioned editing.
When given a choice between attributing something like this to stupidity or malice, I usually go with stupidity. I find it's much more common.
posted by trust_no_one at 8:08 AM on January 23, 2003
Keep in mind that the brochure is trying to appeal to parents who probably have little to no interest in their child's education, so how is throwing something with big words and complex sentence structures going to be of any use?
That's probably precisely what they were thinking. But why weren't they thinking that when they wrote the "regular" version? Aren't "regular" people who have no interest in their children's education just as likely to be less literate than African-American people?
(btw, I am using my ironic quotes in full irony mode here)
posted by vraxoin at 8:09 AM on January 23, 2003
That's probably precisely what they were thinking. But why weren't they thinking that when they wrote the "regular" version? Aren't "regular" people who have no interest in their children's education just as likely to be less literate than African-American people?
(btw, I am using my ironic quotes in full irony mode here)
posted by vraxoin at 8:09 AM on January 23, 2003
drat. i meant "just as likely to be less literate as African-American people who have no such interest." Or something like that. Whatever I said, strike it and replace it with something that make sense and, even better, is wryly amusing.
posted by vraxoin at 8:12 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by vraxoin at 8:12 AM on January 23, 2003
I'm not convinced entirely that there is negative intent, here, but it sure does look stupid, doesn't it.
Having worked several times on documents that are going to be presented in different versions under the auspices of different combinations of companies, I can attest that the same source document can end up looking pretty different in the various incarnations.
I can see the NJEA producing the original document and saying to itself, "hey, we should find a partner for getting this information out to the African American neighborhoods in our communities." So they mail it off to the Black Ministers organization. Someone there said "wow, those education types really write some awful copy; it reads like a mission statement from a teacher's bonding retreat, let's kill the jargon."
They mail it back and the web guy is told "here are three versions, one is the general version, one is for Spanish readers, and one is co-branded for use in predominantly African-American versions."
At no point did anybody say "hey, this here document is too smart for the poor uneducated black people, let's tone it down."
The only meaningful distinction for one being called an African-American version is likely the additional logo on the last pages.
But it does look pretty bad if you assume the worst public-relations scenario. (Which could be the case, I'm just offering another possible version.)
posted by obfusciatrist at 8:15 AM on January 23, 2003
Having worked several times on documents that are going to be presented in different versions under the auspices of different combinations of companies, I can attest that the same source document can end up looking pretty different in the various incarnations.
I can see the NJEA producing the original document and saying to itself, "hey, we should find a partner for getting this information out to the African American neighborhoods in our communities." So they mail it off to the Black Ministers organization. Someone there said "wow, those education types really write some awful copy; it reads like a mission statement from a teacher's bonding retreat, let's kill the jargon."
They mail it back and the web guy is told "here are three versions, one is the general version, one is for Spanish readers, and one is co-branded for use in predominantly African-American versions."
At no point did anybody say "hey, this here document is too smart for the poor uneducated black people, let's tone it down."
The only meaningful distinction for one being called an African-American version is likely the additional logo on the last pages.
But it does look pretty bad if you assume the worst public-relations scenario. (Which could be the case, I'm just offering another possible version.)
posted by obfusciatrist at 8:15 AM on January 23, 2003
Ebonics . . . is a legitimate dialect, but it's a spoken one, not written.
Really? Read The Color Purple. That is just one example, but your statement could not be farther from the truth Gilbert. And just for future reference, spoken language will ALWAYS find its way into a culture's writing.
posted by archimago at 8:16 AM on January 23, 2003
Really? Read The Color Purple. That is just one example, but your statement could not be farther from the truth Gilbert. And just for future reference, spoken language will ALWAYS find its way into a culture's writing.
posted by archimago at 8:16 AM on January 23, 2003
Maybe the NJEA wants to encourage black parents, but not white parents, to assume a greater role in their children's education, so they wrote an incomprehensible "white" version and a plain-English "black" version.
There's a cognitive dissonance with the white version -- the NJEA says it wants parental involvement, then shuts out parents by using Educationese, a jargon intended to confuse outsiders. If the union wanted white parental involvement, it would distribute the black version to white parents.
The black version isn't dumbed-down. It is smartened-up. And it is more likely than the white version to persuade parents to become involved in their schools.
posted by Holden at 8:30 AM on January 23, 2003
There's a cognitive dissonance with the white version -- the NJEA says it wants parental involvement, then shuts out parents by using Educationese, a jargon intended to confuse outsiders. If the union wanted white parental involvement, it would distribute the black version to white parents.
The black version isn't dumbed-down. It is smartened-up. And it is more likely than the white version to persuade parents to become involved in their schools.
posted by Holden at 8:30 AM on January 23, 2003
It would be nice if someone fixed the link in on the main page:
Both "English" and "African American" link to the same page.
---
(btw, I also agree that the 'black version' is better written for a general audience, the 'regular' one is far to buzzword-laden. I'd be curious to see if there was any racism present in the spanish version as well.)
posted by delmoi at 8:31 AM on January 23, 2003
Both "English" and "African American" link to the same page.
---
(btw, I also agree that the 'black version' is better written for a general audience, the 'regular' one is far to buzzword-laden. I'd be curious to see if there was any racism present in the spanish version as well.)
posted by delmoi at 8:31 AM on January 23, 2003
Since most everyone is in agreement that the "black" version is better, then perhaps our outrage should be directed at the "white" version.
After all, it's obvious that the "white" version is meant to keep parents uninformed, as there's no one who'd actually bother to read such turgid prose.
posted by five fresh fish at 8:45 AM on January 23, 2003
After all, it's obvious that the "white" version is meant to keep parents uninformed, as there's no one who'd actually bother to read such turgid prose.
posted by five fresh fish at 8:45 AM on January 23, 2003
I agree with the writers at OpinionJournal - the African-American version is better. It conveys the same message in almost half the words.
Maybe the "English" version was created as an after-thought to communicate in the stilted dialect of corporate suburbanites.
posted by goethean at 9:04 AM on January 23, 2003
Maybe the "English" version was created as an after-thought to communicate in the stilted dialect of corporate suburbanites.
posted by goethean at 9:04 AM on January 23, 2003
Ebonics . . . is a legitimate dialect, but it's a spoken one, not written.
I'd like to see a version written in my native dialect-- a close relative of Ebonics-- Southern Redneck:
Y'all need to help y'all's kids with the homeworks, so them teachers can make thier brains grow real big-like.
posted by 4easypayments at 9:39 AM on January 23, 2003
I'd like to see a version written in my native dialect-- a close relative of Ebonics-- Southern Redneck:
Y'all need to help y'all's kids with the homeworks, so them teachers can make thier brains grow real big-like.
posted by 4easypayments at 9:39 AM on January 23, 2003
Great link, Steve, and thanks for going to the trouble of saving the pages.
goethean, I read all the way down the page thinking, nobody else is looking at it this way, I'll post it - till I got to your suggestion, which, though undoubtedly facetious, is intriguing.
In other words, the practice could theoretically be to write the "regular" version so that anyone can understand it, then "translate" it into caucasian by prettying up, lengthening and jargonizing the words, so white folks will believe it's something they need to pay attention to. I doubt it happened that way, of course, but it does make you think...
posted by soyjoy at 11:03 AM on January 23, 2003
goethean, I read all the way down the page thinking, nobody else is looking at it this way, I'll post it - till I got to your suggestion, which, though undoubtedly facetious, is intriguing.
In other words, the practice could theoretically be to write the "regular" version so that anyone can understand it, then "translate" it into caucasian by prettying up, lengthening and jargonizing the words, so white folks will believe it's something they need to pay attention to. I doubt it happened that way, of course, but it does make you think...
posted by soyjoy at 11:03 AM on January 23, 2003
shepd, I just checked your link. Wayyyyyyyyy off topic, man.
But God, what a great game.
posted by soyjoy at 11:06 AM on January 23, 2003
But God, what a great game.
posted by soyjoy at 11:06 AM on January 23, 2003
4easypayments: As a Suthunuh myself, I take offense to yah statements. See here, theh'ah's uppuh-clahyus Suthun, and lowuh-clahyus hick. For us plantation-folk, it should be reading moh like thee-us:
You's need to be teachun yoeh kids and helpin' 'em-like with theh'ah homework and such, or theh'ah brains'll git puny like ah sundried tomatuh in Jew-lie.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 11:24 AM on January 23, 2003
You's need to be teachun yoeh kids and helpin' 'em-like with theh'ah homework and such, or theh'ah brains'll git puny like ah sundried tomatuh in Jew-lie.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 11:24 AM on January 23, 2003
There's was a similar situation I read about several years back in a cultural study of Buffalo school districts in the postwar era -- there were often two versions of posters, brochures, handouts, memos, etc. for two different sets of students and parents. But the dividing line wasn't so much race as it was class -- the working class students and parents received information about how to be on time, follow instructions, take pride in group accomplishments instead of personal glory, etc. The middle and upper-middle class students and parents got information about how to excel as an individual, how to develop individual interests and strengths, how to become a leader, etc.
posted by scody at 11:57 AM on January 23, 2003
posted by scody at 11:57 AM on January 23, 2003
I wonder how well known it is that the infamous Poet Laureate of New Jersey, in the process of being stripped of that position by the New Jersey legislature, has been given a second job ... as the poet laureate of the Newark public schools, which educate around half of all African American students in New Jersey!
posted by MattD at 12:13 PM on January 23, 2003
posted by MattD at 12:13 PM on January 23, 2003
It's really not about race but poverty, and unfortunately there are more African Americans living in poverty than not.
I think the majority of middle- and upper-middle class blacks might disagree with that statement rather strongly.
posted by hama7 at 3:02 PM on January 23, 2003
I think the majority of middle- and upper-middle class blacks might disagree with that statement rather strongly.
posted by hama7 at 3:02 PM on January 23, 2003
the infamous Poet Laureate of New Jersey
Have you ever read any of his work (besides the few lines quoted in the mindless piling-on newspaper attacks)? He's a fine poet when he's not being a loudmouth ideologue (a tendency all too many good writers have), and the Newark school system should be honored to have him as its laureate.
posted by languagehat at 3:34 PM on January 23, 2003
Have you ever read any of his work (besides the few lines quoted in the mindless piling-on newspaper attacks)? He's a fine poet when he's not being a loudmouth ideologue (a tendency all too many good writers have), and the Newark school system should be honored to have him as its laureate.
posted by languagehat at 3:34 PM on January 23, 2003
archimago: It's really not about race but poverty, and unfortunately there are more African Americans living in poverty than not.
hama7: I think the majority of middle- and upper-middle class blacks might disagree with that statement rather strongly.
According to 2001 stats from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are about 33 million people living below the official poverty threshold in the U.S., or 11.7% of the entire population. Of those 33 million, 22.7 million (more than two-thirds) are white (I'm assuming Latino/Hispanic is counted in this stat, as there is no separate listing), which counts for just under 10% of all whites. 8.1 million are African-American, or 22.7% of all African-Americans.
So this means a couple of things: first, while it's true that poverty affects the black population at a disproportionately higher rate than the white population, it's not true that a majority of blacks live in poverty; and second, I believe I have just agreed with hama7, and I am as surprised as anyone. :)
posted by scody at 4:04 PM on January 23, 2003
hama7: I think the majority of middle- and upper-middle class blacks might disagree with that statement rather strongly.
According to 2001 stats from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are about 33 million people living below the official poverty threshold in the U.S., or 11.7% of the entire population. Of those 33 million, 22.7 million (more than two-thirds) are white (I'm assuming Latino/Hispanic is counted in this stat, as there is no separate listing), which counts for just under 10% of all whites. 8.1 million are African-American, or 22.7% of all African-Americans.
So this means a couple of things: first, while it's true that poverty affects the black population at a disproportionately higher rate than the white population, it's not true that a majority of blacks live in poverty; and second, I believe I have just agreed with hama7, and I am as surprised as anyone. :)
posted by scody at 4:04 PM on January 23, 2003
I believe I have just agreed with hama7, and I am as surprised as anyone. :)
Yay! Will miracles never cease?
posted by hama7 at 5:11 PM on January 23, 2003
Yay! Will miracles never cease?
posted by hama7 at 5:11 PM on January 23, 2003
« Older Bill Mauldin, Cartoonist | McNamara, Castro, Cuban Missile Crisis Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
How do the two english versions differ? Let look at the same passage...
Regular English Version:
The primary focus of the parent involvement program is on the child. By helping your child's teacher, you can offer students new and varied experiences - suited to their interests and capabilities.
By working in your school, you will become more familiar with its programs, and you will see why they are vital to your child. With this new understanding of education needs and goals, you can give the school the backing it needs and encourage others to do the same.
You will learn more about everyday happening in the classroom from the increased communication and interaction between you and the teacher. You will have the satisfaction of helping children during a very important stage of their development.
African-American Version:
The goal of the parent involvement program is to help children. By helping your child's teacher, you can offer students your experiences and support.
By working in your school, you will see how it works. With this new understanding, you can give the school the backing it needs.
You will learn more about the classroom. You will enjoy helping children.
Both versions ask "Why do teachers need my help?"
Regular English Version:
Today, there is an increasing emphasis on individualized instruction--fitting the curriculum to the child. Teachers want to employ new methods and materials to give each child personal guidance.
When you assist teachers with growing paperwork, make instructional materials, or conduct a science experiment, you give them more time for planning activities, for trying new teaching strategies, and for working directly with children. As a parent volunteer, you allow them to be more effective teachers--and the school obtains your skills and services that might be unavailable due to financial limitations.
African-American Version:
Today, teachers want to use new methods and materials to give each child personal guidance.
When you assist teachers, you give them more time to work with children. You allow them to be more effective teachers.
Why does a teachers union think they have to dumbed down information for black parents to understand it?
Last I looked the link has been removed from the original page, but the African-American Version file is still live. But just in case there is a Google cache of the page.
via OpinionJournal's Best of the Web
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 11:50 PM on January 22, 2003