IAR analysis: "Taking Black Technology Use Seriously:African American Discursive Traditions In the Digital Underground" by Adam J. Banks
What is invention?
In order to understand a piece of writing, it is important to examine what activities the author had to engage in to create the text. For this particular writing, Banks had to research AAVE, along with research well-known scholars and sociolinguistics such as Smitherman, Holmes, and Powell. He needed to be familiar with AAVE rhetorical and grammatical features. Banks also had to research how AAVE is appropriated on the internet, by examining websites such as Blackplanet.com. He also researched the "underground" in AA's culture.
What is being invented?
The ideas, practices, or arguments created throughout the text written by Banks include:
- The internet (especially blackplanet.com) serve as an "underground" for African Americans to express themselves without the "political gaze"
-The internet offers a way to discuss issues and important topics, while bringing people together, therefore is beneficial to its users.
- Rhetorical and grammatical features are appropriated throughout the web.
- African Americans need to be better represented online.
- The internet views race and cultural factors as unimportant
What is being arranged?
What is being put into relation to what:
-The internet to African Americans
-African Americans to AAVE
-AAVE to the "underground"
-"underground" to the digital divide
-digital divide to problems of access and use
-problems to online to AAVE's rhetorical features
What is arrangement?
It is important to realize how things put into relation to one another while trying to comprehend a piece of writings. In the writing by Banks, the following include the arrangement for his text:
-discussion to discussion
- discussion to example
What is being revised?
In this writing, by Banks, he is trying to stress the fact that technology, especially the internet, need to represent all people, not just white, middle-class men. He is also stating that African Americans have the right to use AAVE. While proving these points, Banks also is trying to bring awareness to the fact that the digital divide still exists, along with the fact the there still is an "underground".
What is revision? What strategies are engaged specifically to help the writer achieve the revisions
To reach his point, Banks had to engage in finding, and using, examples of AAVE on websites. He also had to use quotes and other ideas from well-known sociolinguistics and scholars.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
DW2b
Dw2b:
The internet has become one of the most common ways to research, pass time, contact people, and perhaps most importantly, a way to express oneself. It has replaced the old ways of researching, with faster, easier access to an endless supply of information. Cyberspace is now a place of discussion, a place to grow from others’ ideas and knowledge, and ultimately, a place of controversy. One of these controversial issues is race, and the expression of it. Race is a controversial topic in all areas of our society, and this has even leaked into the internet. Blackplanet.com is one of these social networking websites that allows the expression of diversity, specifically the appropriation of AAVE. Blackplanet.com is aimed primarily towards the African American public, and most of its users are, indeed, Black Americans. Individuals aren’t afraid of judgement on this site, therefore, they speak and discuss without holding back, and without the restrictions of using Standard English. In today’s society, we tend to worry to much about what is right or wrong, instead of the deeper meaning. The internet allows us to look pass using Standard English, and by doing thins, take steps toward a greater acceptance of the diversity of language. In his writing “Taking Black Technology Use Seriously: African American Discursive Traditions in the Digital Underground”, Adam J. Banks states:
“This socialized instruction of feedback and guidance about personal pages helps with the millions of users (10,500,000 at the time of this writing) forge connections with each other that ensure the growth of the community and the discursive conventions that develop within it.”
In this quote, Banks is explaining the importance of personal pages on the web, such as BlackPlanet.com. He stresses the involvement that these pages have on the growth of knowledge and the stimulation of the mind on those individuals that participant in such personal websites. He also agrees with the argument that cyberspace is beneficial in the fight against linguistic prejudice and encourages connections between people. Cyberspace does this by allowing individuals express themselves without restrictions, especially the restrictions of Standard English. By users appropriating AAVE, it raises awareness about the language. It also helps people not familiar with AAVE to understand it and see the way it can be used. Personal sites, like Blackplanet.com, increase discussion by creating a connection between users. The internet, just like any other thing in this world, can have its down side, but overall, the good outweighs the bad. There is going to be discrimination against the unfamiliar, like AAVE, but the internet is a tool to help shut the door on that issue. Cyberspace prompts intellectual discussions, while appropriating AAVE, overlooking conformity, and allowing the expression of individuality.
The internet has become one of the most common ways to research, pass time, contact people, and perhaps most importantly, a way to express oneself. It has replaced the old ways of researching, with faster, easier access to an endless supply of information. Cyberspace is now a place of discussion, a place to grow from others’ ideas and knowledge, and ultimately, a place of controversy. One of these controversial issues is race, and the expression of it. Race is a controversial topic in all areas of our society, and this has even leaked into the internet. Blackplanet.com is one of these social networking websites that allows the expression of diversity, specifically the appropriation of AAVE. Blackplanet.com is aimed primarily towards the African American public, and most of its users are, indeed, Black Americans. Individuals aren’t afraid of judgement on this site, therefore, they speak and discuss without holding back, and without the restrictions of using Standard English. In today’s society, we tend to worry to much about what is right or wrong, instead of the deeper meaning. The internet allows us to look pass using Standard English, and by doing thins, take steps toward a greater acceptance of the diversity of language. In his writing “Taking Black Technology Use Seriously: African American Discursive Traditions in the Digital Underground”, Adam J. Banks states:
“This socialized instruction of feedback and guidance about personal pages helps with the millions of users (10,500,000 at the time of this writing) forge connections with each other that ensure the growth of the community and the discursive conventions that develop within it.”
In this quote, Banks is explaining the importance of personal pages on the web, such as BlackPlanet.com. He stresses the involvement that these pages have on the growth of knowledge and the stimulation of the mind on those individuals that participant in such personal websites. He also agrees with the argument that cyberspace is beneficial in the fight against linguistic prejudice and encourages connections between people. Cyberspace does this by allowing individuals express themselves without restrictions, especially the restrictions of Standard English. By users appropriating AAVE, it raises awareness about the language. It also helps people not familiar with AAVE to understand it and see the way it can be used. Personal sites, like Blackplanet.com, increase discussion by creating a connection between users. The internet, just like any other thing in this world, can have its down side, but overall, the good outweighs the bad. There is going to be discrimination against the unfamiliar, like AAVE, but the internet is a tool to help shut the door on that issue. Cyberspace prompts intellectual discussions, while appropriating AAVE, overlooking conformity, and allowing the expression of individuality.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Dw2a
DW2a:
Blackplanet.com is a website, like myspace.com or facebook.com, used for social networking. It allows users to create a profile, express their opinions, meet other people, and discuss current issues or topics they find important. Unlike the other social networking websites, however, Blackplanet.com is aimed primarily towards the African American public, and most of its users are, indeed, Black Americans. When I browsed this website, many AAVE features were appropriated throughout the entire site, and in most of the users’ profiles. One primary feature of AAVE that stands out is the rhetorical feature called braggadocio, which is especially apparent in user’s “about me” section. Here is an example from “idarastar”’s profile: “i don't need to write a little paragraph tryin to convince you that i am a cool %#&@$! chick. i just am what i am and that is one cool ass chick.” It is very obvious from this statement that the user is proudly bragging about themselves, or in other words, using braggadocio. Similar statements are made in the majority of the profiles.
Another feature of AAVE that is appropriated is repetition. An example of this, from
“RRbatman”’s profile is: “Those who watch things happen and Those who wonder what happened.) Which one are you? Obama needs our help to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN!”
As you can see, he uses the word “happen” repeatedly, just within one or two sentences, emphasizing the issue he is trying to address. RRbatman also appropriates the rhetorical feature, using a sermonic tone.
“REST IN PEACE TO THE HOMIE STACK BUNDLES, GONE BUT NEVA FORGOTTEN FAR ROCK LIVES ON! A.K.A YOU NEVER SEEN LIGHTSKIN LOOK SO TOUGH!!!” In this statement from a user’s profile, he acknowledges the use of AAVE, or a version of it, and translates it into Standard English. This is one of the few locations on Blackplanet.com that AAVE is actually, in a way, discussed and not just appropriated.
In this statement from a user on blackplanet.com, he appropriates the grammatical feature well known in AAVE of using the verb “be”.
“the most overused phrase on BP: I'm REAL! I be perusing some profiles and there's an 80% chance that when you see those words, there's a booty shoot or a picture in their drawls, and 9 times out of 10 they ain't got time for games, lol!” This user also acknowledges the slang term “I’m Real”, and mixes in internet slang with the use of “lol”.
Internet slang is also mixed within the AAVE in many user’s profiles, so a lot of the AAVE is not used in its correct format. Words such as “U”, “wanna”, “pics”, or “gonna” are commonly used, sprinkled all throughout users’ profiles. One of the most seen grammatical feature of AAVE on blackplanet.com is the omission of the “th” sounds. “IF U AINT older dan me DONT HOLLA AT ME”. In this excerpt from a user’s profile, she replaces the Standard English word “than”, drops the “th” sound, and replaces it with the word “dan”. Almost every user on blackplanet.com appropriates some form of AAVE, even though it may not be completely correct.
Blackplanet.com is a website, like myspace.com or facebook.com, used for social networking. It allows users to create a profile, express their opinions, meet other people, and discuss current issues or topics they find important. Unlike the other social networking websites, however, Blackplanet.com is aimed primarily towards the African American public, and most of its users are, indeed, Black Americans. When I browsed this website, many AAVE features were appropriated throughout the entire site, and in most of the users’ profiles. One primary feature of AAVE that stands out is the rhetorical feature called braggadocio, which is especially apparent in user’s “about me” section. Here is an example from “idarastar”’s profile: “i don't need to write a little paragraph tryin to convince you that i am a cool %#&@$! chick. i just am what i am and that is one cool ass chick.” It is very obvious from this statement that the user is proudly bragging about themselves, or in other words, using braggadocio. Similar statements are made in the majority of the profiles.
Another feature of AAVE that is appropriated is repetition. An example of this, from
“RRbatman”’s profile is: “Those who watch things happen and Those who wonder what happened.) Which one are you? Obama needs our help to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN!”
As you can see, he uses the word “happen” repeatedly, just within one or two sentences, emphasizing the issue he is trying to address. RRbatman also appropriates the rhetorical feature, using a sermonic tone.
“REST IN PEACE TO THE HOMIE STACK BUNDLES, GONE BUT NEVA FORGOTTEN FAR ROCK LIVES ON! A.K.A YOU NEVER SEEN LIGHTSKIN LOOK SO TOUGH!!!” In this statement from a user’s profile, he acknowledges the use of AAVE, or a version of it, and translates it into Standard English. This is one of the few locations on Blackplanet.com that AAVE is actually, in a way, discussed and not just appropriated.
In this statement from a user on blackplanet.com, he appropriates the grammatical feature well known in AAVE of using the verb “be”.
“the most overused phrase on BP: I'm REAL! I be perusing some profiles and there's an 80% chance that when you see those words, there's a booty shoot or a picture in their drawls, and 9 times out of 10 they ain't got time for games, lol!” This user also acknowledges the slang term “I’m Real”, and mixes in internet slang with the use of “lol”.
Internet slang is also mixed within the AAVE in many user’s profiles, so a lot of the AAVE is not used in its correct format. Words such as “U”, “wanna”, “pics”, or “gonna” are commonly used, sprinkled all throughout users’ profiles. One of the most seen grammatical feature of AAVE on blackplanet.com is the omission of the “th” sounds. “IF U AINT older dan me DONT HOLLA AT ME”. In this excerpt from a user’s profile, she replaces the Standard English word “than”, drops the “th” sound, and replaces it with the word “dan”. Almost every user on blackplanet.com appropriates some form of AAVE, even though it may not be completely correct.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
DW1b
DW1b: Analyzing "Myth Education: Rationale and Strategies for Teaching against Linguistic Prejudice" by Leah Zuidema
“You may have dark skin, we tell them, but you must not sound Black. You can wear a yarmulke if it is important to you as a Jew, but lose the accent. Maybe you come from the Ukraine, but can’t you speak real English? If you didn’t sound so corn-pone, people would take you seriously. You’re the best salesperson we’ve got, but must you sound so gay on he phone?” Zuidema follows this up by stating that “Many of us feel free to make judgements about others because of the ways that they use language. We make assumptions based on the ways that people speak and write, presuming to know about their intelligence, their competence, their motives, and their morality.”
The excerpt above, derived from “Myth Education: Rationale and Strategies for Teaching Against Linguistic Prejudice”, by Leah Zuidema, brings to our attention the amount of ignorance and prejudice that language produces, especially in today’s society. It illustrates the feelings that we all experience on a day to day basis when we use language, both written and oral. We are taught Standard English from the moment we enter the school system, and condemned if we use any sort of variety of this. We were, and still are, constantly corrected on our grammar “mistakes”, which are really just the dialect we use outside of school. Individuality of speech is viewed as unacceptable while at school, and those who do not comply receive lower grades and less favoritism. Zuidema stresses the idea of conformity of language, and how it is pushed onto us from every aspect of life, whether it be at school, work, or just in conversation with a person you just met. Immigrants, for example, who may have difficulty pronouncing certain words in English, or have a thick accent, may be viewed as “not American”, or “stupid”. A person is judged, discriminated against, and stereotyped based on their language. If we heard a President give a formal speech using words such as “gonna”, “ain’t”, “wanna”, or any other type of common slang, we, as a society, would consider him ignorant or uneducated.
We all have, undoubtably, experienced linguistic prejudice at some point in our lives. This idea is conveyed throughout my literacy narrative, in less obvious and dramatic terms. School is a major contributer to linguistic prejudice, and in a way, is encouraging such behavior. You can see this in the grading system for written papers, which is based solely off of “Standard English”. There is no room for variations, dialect difference, or slang in this grading system, and if you happen to stray off the “Standard English path”, your grade will suffer. I started to realized this, as mentioned in my literacy narrative, around the time I entered middle school. It is at this time when your written language really starts to matter, and words such as “ain’t”, were to be sifted out of our vocabulary. As human beings, we tend to judge anything that is different than us, and we do this especially in language. School, however, is the first place we need to start recognizing, and accepting, individuality of language. There is no "right" or "wrong" language, therefore the school system needs to start realizing this issue, start accommodating for it, and work out solutions for the linguistic prejudice that is incorporated throughout the system.
“You may have dark skin, we tell them, but you must not sound Black. You can wear a yarmulke if it is important to you as a Jew, but lose the accent. Maybe you come from the Ukraine, but can’t you speak real English? If you didn’t sound so corn-pone, people would take you seriously. You’re the best salesperson we’ve got, but must you sound so gay on he phone?” Zuidema follows this up by stating that “Many of us feel free to make judgements about others because of the ways that they use language. We make assumptions based on the ways that people speak and write, presuming to know about their intelligence, their competence, their motives, and their morality.”
The excerpt above, derived from “Myth Education: Rationale and Strategies for Teaching Against Linguistic Prejudice”, by Leah Zuidema, brings to our attention the amount of ignorance and prejudice that language produces, especially in today’s society. It illustrates the feelings that we all experience on a day to day basis when we use language, both written and oral. We are taught Standard English from the moment we enter the school system, and condemned if we use any sort of variety of this. We were, and still are, constantly corrected on our grammar “mistakes”, which are really just the dialect we use outside of school. Individuality of speech is viewed as unacceptable while at school, and those who do not comply receive lower grades and less favoritism. Zuidema stresses the idea of conformity of language, and how it is pushed onto us from every aspect of life, whether it be at school, work, or just in conversation with a person you just met. Immigrants, for example, who may have difficulty pronouncing certain words in English, or have a thick accent, may be viewed as “not American”, or “stupid”. A person is judged, discriminated against, and stereotyped based on their language. If we heard a President give a formal speech using words such as “gonna”, “ain’t”, “wanna”, or any other type of common slang, we, as a society, would consider him ignorant or uneducated.
We all have, undoubtably, experienced linguistic prejudice at some point in our lives. This idea is conveyed throughout my literacy narrative, in less obvious and dramatic terms. School is a major contributer to linguistic prejudice, and in a way, is encouraging such behavior. You can see this in the grading system for written papers, which is based solely off of “Standard English”. There is no room for variations, dialect difference, or slang in this grading system, and if you happen to stray off the “Standard English path”, your grade will suffer. I started to realized this, as mentioned in my literacy narrative, around the time I entered middle school. It is at this time when your written language really starts to matter, and words such as “ain’t”, were to be sifted out of our vocabulary. As human beings, we tend to judge anything that is different than us, and we do this especially in language. School, however, is the first place we need to start recognizing, and accepting, individuality of language. There is no "right" or "wrong" language, therefore the school system needs to start realizing this issue, start accommodating for it, and work out solutions for the linguistic prejudice that is incorporated throughout the system.
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