Monday, February 12, 2018

Oklahoma English teacher has had it with standard English and other systemic oppression


Jennifer Williams is an AP English teacher in Oklahoma who believes that “Whites are sucking the life from America, denying our country any possible chance at greatness.” So I suppose it comes as no surprise that she would rethink the literary canon:
I’m done with the dead, White guys … I will no longer center them in all their precious White, cishet maleness. 
Why am I done? Because I refuse to continue being part of the problem. What problem? The problem of perpetuating systemic oppression and discrimination in our society—through our educational system. ... 
I used to be one of those people and teachers who…wanted my students to speak “proper” English. That was the first thing I let go.
Sorry, Bill. This AP English teacher will no longer be a “guardian of the gate of standard English” because doing so “perpetuates Whiteness and what is ‘acceptable’ English. ... Why force our students into the mold of Whiteness and White speech?”

America’s Founding Fathers built many problems “into the foundation of our society,” Williams says, but she is choosing to be a part of the solution. “I hope you’ll join me on this journey. If not, you may need to rethink teaching.”

1 comment:

DLA said...

oh my grief! Please, Lord, don't let this fool be my grand children's teacher - EVER. Does anyone know which school she disgraces?