Prof: ‘privileging of standard English' is 'linguistic racism'

Prof: ‘privileging of standard English' is 'linguistic racism':

A professor of medieval literature at the City University of New York (CUNY) lamented academia’s support for “Standard American English” in a recent op-ed.

Although standard English is typically preferred in the workplace, Dr. A.W. Strouse told Campus Reform that he considers it more important to equip students to "battle against linguistic racism."

A professor of medieval literature at the City University of New York (CUNY) lamented academia’s support for “Standard American English” in a recent op-ed.

In an op-ed for Inside Higher Ed, Dr. A.W. Strouse argues that colleges should support “greater linguistic diversity” and “affirm and embrace” language differences among students, such as the use of slang and African American Vernacular English (AAVE).

"It is racist to discriminate against someone on the basis that they speak [African American Vernacular English]."    Tweet This

Affirming students’ use of non-standard English is important, he says, because students who speak nonstandard English may feel discouraged if called out for it. Citing educators Vicki Spandel and Richard J. Stiggins, Strouse notes that “negative comments…tend to make students feel bewildered, hurt, or angry.”...

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