Category: Blog 3

I believe that June Jordan finds fault to the quote “one of the most unselfish missions ever undertaken by one nation in defense of another.”  because she considers it as a huge lie and an understatement. She thinks that white people will always have power and never take fault in the problems and consider problems to make them less then they seem.  In the reading “White English/ Black English: The Politics of Translation” President Richard Nixon describes the Vietnam War in a white english way. The president uses words like “unselfish” and doesnt use a bigger meaning in his statements.

What June Jordan is trying to say when she said “The problem is that we are saying language, but really dealing with power” is that white people have more power because of the white english. White english is spoken better and more standard compared to black english which is kind of broken and different. People with White English is considered more powerful because of the way they are able to speak to others. Language is really important with societies and its the way people comunicate with others. There is a lot of languages that people speak but White people look up to more people that speak in their way so people with White English. White people would look down at someone who speaks in a broken and different type of english. These black people would be usually speaking Black english and the white people would look down at them.  White English made white people more powerful since they felt like they were above everyone since other people in America like Black People didnt speak it and only spoke Black Engish. This made the white people feel right about their language compare to the black english that the other people spoke.

Jordan’s criticism of the following sentence reflects how it is intended. Meaning, even though it is worded one way, it means something completely other when. Words have a significant impact on meaning and how it is communicated. “Standard (white) English,” as discussed in the text, is forceful and political. Such things can be conveyed in one way, but the underlying meaning is obscured. The Vietnam War is brought up as an example of the US being selfless. When it wasn’t exactly like that, it meant placing their needs and best interests ahead of our own. In the United States, which is where word play comes in, they were not being selfless; in reality, they were assisting in the process.

I believe she means that the real issue isn’t whether black or white English people are more powerful in America. She claims that all of the white people in power in the country speak the same standard white English. White English is regarded as “standard,” whereas black English is regarded as “broken” or “not real English.” I’m not sure why there’s a distinction made between white and black English when white individuals aren’t deemed to be speaking appropriate English while conversing with a British person. In America, black people are seen as second-class citizens whereas white people are regarded as the most important. All of this, I feel, boils down to money. You only have a limited amount of time.

After reading “White English/ Black English: The Politics of Translation,” by June Jordan, Jordan finds fault in the following statement, in which then-President Richard Nixon describes the Vietnam War by not believing him and choosing to ignore his statement because of the way he’s using white English. Nixon is careless on what he says and doesn’t know the deeper meaning behind his words like when he said “compassionate” or “unselfish” When they start using white English its true purpose is to hide something important that the rest of the world can’t know because it benefits them and just only the privilege. Everyone and everything is a lie behind white English which is a disappointment because real issues can be talked about if people just used it properly.

Jordan means with the following statement, “The problem is that we are saying language, but really dealing with power” is language is the most important thing to acknowledge we communicate with one another like that and by doing people get to know us better as a individual in society. Language can be difficult to understand but if one person has good intentions on how they are saying it with tone and their facial expression people would know what they mean by saying it. White English and Black English can be both different languages to different people in society and sadly white English is taken more serious than black English which can cause problems. And people who just acknowledge white English would find themselves just knowing one and wouldn’t know the significance meaning behind when people intend to us black English. Our language represents us and where we come from and what our purpose is by communicating with one another its a part of you  that people would intend to see you as a good or bad person it just depends on you.

In simpleton terms Jordan finds it even laughable that Nixon describes his entry to a nation in that quote. He simply needed a way to justify hiss reasoning for wanting to go into another nation. This is simply a cover up to persuade public opinion, similar to when we spoke about Bush in class. And how his reasoning for invading middle eastern countries was to “save the women of Islam”. Also when speaking of the language he uses specifically this is what she determines “white” or “standard English” Saying one thing with the word that have positive connotations, yet it is really to cover up their true intentions. In this case being the pursuit of communism, but lets label it as an “unselfish act from a nation”.

This quote is really depicting the actual power and how the use of language is a way of controlling everyone else. To get anywhere in America you must know a standard English. You must be able to speak properly if you even want a proper chance. For instance many minorities have a thing called code switch, where we sound more “white” on purpose to fulfill our needs either quicker or even have a chance at the opportunity.  In addition, Jordan mentions that we should have a way of learning black English, She thinks that the use of standard English is essentially a threat against the identity of so many others in America. You having to conform directly erases your culture and use of you other language. Finally, having this as our standard says one thing “we’re right you’re wrong”.

June Jordan finds fault in what President Nixon says. June Jordan used the term “White English”  to describe the language used by Nixon. President Nixon used words compassion, unselfish, defoliation. But June exposes Nixon as using these words unknowingly and using them without meaning. He does this to justify his actions in Vietnam.

The quote “The problem is that we are saying language, but really dealing with power” sticks out. To me, it means that language has more power depending on the person who says it. Having “white English” is the standard common.  There’s a stigma that talking like this means more education, hence more power. This is what I believe is part of what June Jordan is describing.

 

Jordan finds fault with this statement, by realizing President Richard Nixon doesn’t truly mean this statement. He is simply attempting to cover up the true reason for the Vietnam war, which is what he is referencing within this quote. Nixon is attempting to say that the reasoning behind the war was indeed reasonable, and it was done in an unselfish manner, one done to defend another nation. However, this real truth was so that communism would not spread, which ultimately benefits the United States. Just like Jordan mentions, when something is stated, it sometimes has a different meaning. In this case, what President Nixon said had an entirely different meaning. Jordan also references, “Standard White English” which is a term that refers to the cover-up of true meaning.

Jordan uses the quote “The problem is that we are saying language, but really dealing with power.” What I believe he means in this quote is that within “Standard White English” language is a powerful tool that can influence people. We use it in our everyday lives, and it often has lots of meaning. However, it’s not just the language that has the power, but the power of whoever is behind the words that are being spoken. Standard White English, which is mainly used by white people, is powerful when taken advantage of. When taken advantage of by those who are in a higher status of power, it removes the idea that language is the problem, but the truth is the power.

 

After reading “White English/ Black English: The Politics of Translation,” by June Jordan, Jordan mentions the quote, “one of the most unselfish missions ever undertaken by one nation in defense of another,”I believe this quote demonstrates how June clearly exposes the remarks by Nixon as using the words unknowingly and using them without meaning. Nixon uses it very ignorant yk and does this to justify his actions in Vietnam. In my opinion, I believe that white English is the language of the powerful and black English is the language of the powerless. The reason I believe that is because in “white” America it seems that the only thing that matters is the amount of money you have. You only have a voice or true power if you are wealthy and white in the United States of America 

Furthermore, as I analyzed  “White English/ Black English: The Politics of Translation,” by June Jordan, one quote that stood out to me was “The problem is that we are saying language, but really dealing with power” sticks out. Personally , to me the bigger picture of this is that language has more power and meaning than you believe . It truly matters and depends  on the person who says it in society. In theUnited States, the sad reality is that “white English” is the standard common and is classified in society as being articulate and intellect. As an hispanic college student I’ve realized how Jordan mentions that we should have a way of learning black English. I totally agree with her because She believes standard English is essentially a threat against the identity of many minorities like myself (Hispanic student ) and others in the United States. Lastly, Jordan directly addressed how white English erases your culture and use of you other language that identifies and conforms with you. 

 

 

 

Jordan has a problem with the quote, “one of the most unselfish missions ever undertaken by one nation in defense of another,” because she knows Nixon does not mean what he says. She says white people, specifically the ones in power “debase” the meaning of the words they use, so they don’t mean what they say. For example, when Nixon uses the words “unselfish” and “compassionate” he uses the words meaninglessly. He’s using those words just to use them and not based on their meaning/definition. Because everyone knows that nothing these people ever do is “unselfish.” Whatever is done by these powerful white people is always done in their best interest. “White English” holds other meanings than just the words being used.

Language is very powerful. We view the world through the languages we speak and the way we speak in general, so it holds some meaning/value to us. So, when Black Americans are taught at a young age that the way they speak is “wrong,” and they have to learn a different way of speaking, it almost makes them inferior. Because what’s so “wrong” about the way they speak? This goes to show the power “White English” holds over “Black English.” The “White English” is what is taught at school and what is expected and accepted. Even though both “White English” and “Black English” can be understood, of course, “Black English” has to be the “unusual” English. The “standard” is “White English” so Jordan explains how it could even cause Black kids to fail courses. When Jordan says we’re “dealing with power” not language, she means white people are always finding ways to control other races, in this case, Black people. They go as far as to say the way they speak is incorrect as if other cultures and dialects don’t exist.

 

In the quote ” One of the most unselfish missions ever undertaken by one nation in defense of another”, June Jordan finds fault in the meaning behind it.  . Jordan makes a lot of references to the ”Standard White English”. This form of the English language uses certain words to cover up something. The U.S did enter the Vietnam war so communism would not spread.

In the quote ”The problem is that we are saying language, but really dealing with power”, this can be interpreted in many ways. This is a rhetorical war regarding language, and the way ”white English” is being used. We see it everywhere, newspapers, in politics, and on television. Furthermore, the problem isn’t the language but how its actual power. The standard white English pushes people to lose their identity, culture, and background. The U.S is a country of many cultures and languages, even the English language is not our official nationwide language. Rather than conforming, we should speak up. It’s called the standard white English because it was historically founded by educated white people.

1- The way Jordan finds fault with the following statement is how it is actually meant. Meaning although it is being stated as one way ,it totally means something different when. Words have a big play in meaning and the way it is being conveyed.  As discussed in the text “Standard (white) English ” is powerful and very much political. Such things can be said one way but it masks the true meaning behind it.  What is bring described is the Vietnam war, as the US being unselfish . Meaning putting their needs and best interests before of our own , when it was not exactly like that. Which is where word play comes in the US was not being unselfish in fact they helped in order to contain communism stoping the spread and isolate within its borders.

2-I believe what is meant when“The problem is that we are saying language, but really dealing with power” is the fact that words contain large power and it is not only about the way people speak but the way people are controlled and kept from power. Keeping it “standard” and “white” only diminishes other voices and maintains people to a certain extent of power, making them less and wrong . Many peoples first language is not English people come from a variety of backgrounds. But to be taught in school that your language is incorrect from the start or should not be used is very identity taking .  English is in fact the common language but that should not mean it is more or less than others languages. The fact that it plays a big role in power onto people is very mind blowing. Children are taught to just follow along and accept the norms that are set in place. Literally to come to an agreement that “standard english” holds authority/power/dominance over your language.