Dialogues in Languages and Humanities (an NYUSPS initiative) together with The Department of Social and Cultural Analysis (SCA), Africana Studies and the Department of Linguistics presented a screening of the stunning documentary Talking Black in America to a full house at The Cantor Film Center on September 28th. Following the film, the audience, comprised mostly of students, engaged in a riveting conversation with a superb panel including:
Dr. Renee Blake (NYU Associate Professor of the Departments of Linguistics and Social & Cultural Analysis, Director of Africana Studies, Associate Producer and Contributor to Talking Black in America)
Dr. Jamila Lyiscott (visiting Assistant Professor of Social Justice Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Senior Research Fellow of Teachers College, Columbia University)
Dr. Cecelia Cutler (Associate Professor, Lehman College)
Dr. Blake introduced the event candidly, by unapologetically stating, “This evening is about race.” Tao Goffe (Assistant Professor and Faculty Fellow of Social and Cultural Analysis at NYU) also provided an insightful commentary on the impact of hurricanes and earthquakes to the Caribbean archipelago and greater region, stating, “We speak the same tongues as we will see in this film Talking Black,” and implored, “let us endeavor, more boldly, to think about the ecocritical effects of catastrophe that constitute our Americas.”
The film focuses on the most controversial and misunderstood of the Englishes–African American English. It explores the roots of linguistic discrimination while highlighting the impact African American Language has on the speech and culture of the United States and beyond. Often seen as error-ridden and non-standard, the film reminds viewers of how not only the lilting cadences of African American Language, but the rule-governed sophistication of its constructions have elevated the English language itself. As the documentary presented the views of everyday speakers, historians, linguists, and educators, audience members’ visceral reactions served as audible punctuation.
Following the film, Dr. Blake moderated a discussion guided by audience members’ honest and probing questions. The sparkling self-expression of Dr. Lyiscott and reflective commentary by Dr. Cutler were deftly guided by Dr. Blake. The exchanges explored the tightrope walk between inclusion and exclusion, language as access and language as limiter, and discrimination and understanding.
The conversations continued at a lively reception, held at 10 Washington Place. Additional photos of the event can be found below, courtesy of Mauricio Fonseca, Suzanne Kaplan-Fonseca, and Kristine Kerr.
We will do all we can to continue this deeply important dialogue. All ideas and suggestions are welcome.
This program was also sponsored by: the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs, the Institute for African American Affairs, and the NYU Center for Humanities.
