(NAME-MCE) Response to: "The language of living in a ghetto"

[Elizabeth Cooksey]

I do not usually reply to these entries--I usually read, nod, or chuckle 
with agreement.  But this is no matter to be taken lightly. Newt 
Geingrich (I suppose this is how his  ultra-American name is spelled)  
has made his way back into the news.  He is a leader in his state and an 
aspiring leader nationally. This man is considered worthy of  that 
leadership by many. There were cheers and agreement when he spoke those 
ugly words in his usual,  oily manner.  Those people who so docilely 
follow him obviously do not realize that his rationale is the rationale 
of one who is totally  self-centered, and  narrow minded.  His vision 
extends no farther than being the head man in charge and he thinks that 
appealing to ignorance is the way to accomplish this.

 I, too was born in the South--Mississippi in the 1950's.  I was a child 
of poverty, segregation,  mis-education, and supression.  Yet, I speak 
three languages well, two not-so well, and yet another (ebonics) when I 
wish to be expressive with my friends.  I am a university professor who 
teaches aspiring English teachers how to teach.  I  realize that there 
is a difference  between true English language and the amalgamation that 
is American English which is spoken exclusively by those Americans who 
have not had the privilege of experience or learning.  They forget that 
this is a country that embraces differences.  America is and always has 
been  haven that nourishes  people from other countries who spoke 
originally in other toungues-- other languages.  If Newt Geingrich were 
to investigate his own heritage, he would find that his relatives did 
not originally speak "American."  I can practically guarantee it.  He 
might find some of his relatives still alive in America who originally 
spoke in a language other than American English.

 America as we know it now is a young, aggressive country.  Americans 
are bold, sure of themselves, and sure of the rightness of the policies 
of the majority.  History teaches us that difference is what makes 
America strong as well as great.

Ghetto and "ghetto language"  does not carry quite the meaning that Mr. 
Geingrich has attributed to it. But let us not be too literal.  His true 
meaning is other than what he said.  No intelligent person should be 
fooled by the  desperate floundering  of  a  wounded,  twice-defeated 
politician.  Maybe HE should seek another country.  But where?  I think 
he'd be too radical for Germany in 2007.

Teja at Entertainingdiversity.com wrote:

>With respect to "The language of living in a ghetto" entry:
>
>1. This attitude and strategy that the Nazi's used
>2. Bilingualism is VERY successful in many countries
>3. He might as well suggest that we all wear 'prosperity clothes' and 'properity cologne'
>4. Maybe he can also suggest that we forget accents
>5. He's assuming all people who speak two or more languages (like myself) should leave the US
>6. Oh, and forget music. That's another language
>7. Americans do not speak English. They speak American
>8. Babies don't speak English. They can leave too.
>
>  
>
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