I am sure everyone at some point has heard the phrase “Those who don’t learn from history are subject to repeat it?” The truth is, no matter the time (i.e., century, decade, etc.), history has been foretold to repeat itself. Ecclesiastes 1:9 states: ” What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (New International Bible, 1978/2011). The following is for educational purposes only and not intended to influence biases and stereotypes relating to race and culture. However, it is intended for students, communities, educators, and citizens to understand the importance of diversity and why it should be embraced. I am not trying to inflict politics into this article, but rather exhibit the importance for not only Black people (to be politically correct, African Americans) to understand the power of cultural linguistics [communication], but all people. The importance of Understanding diversity in the world enhances innovation, stimulates economic growth, accessibilities to education and employment, and prevents unproductivity.
A study by Anya (2020) examines and discusses the race of African Americans relating to the study of world languages. The lives of African Americans intensely arbitrated by race and formed by racial consciousness, recognition, identities, and experiences in learning how to physically express mental associations for all intents and purposes. African Americans are underrepresentation in post-secondary and higher educational language programs which is stated is not based on fundamental and cultural disadvantages such as the inability to achieve success in language-based subjects. However, it is due to racial and cultural linguistic diversity makes African Americans skilled, flexible, and well-abled to adapt to multilingual intercultural communication (Anderson, Reference Anderson2015).
A primary example of the lyrical and rhythmic abilities required in the genre of rap and hip-hop show the capabilities that African Americans possess when motivated to participate or perform. The importance of the videos below provide explanation of African origins and influences on the English language that is native to North America.
References
Anya, U. (2020). African Americans in world language study: The forged path and future directions. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 40, 97–112. doi:10.1017/S0267190520000070.
BETNetworks. (2021). Black English’: How AAVE Developed From Slave Resistance & African Dialects – The Breakdown . YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7FIky7wplI.
New International Bible. (2011). Zondervan. (Original work published 1978).
