Teaching Students About the Richness of Black Language Traditions

Black History Month is an opportunity to augment traditional written documents with visual, sonic, dramatic, and multimedia texts.

By Mackensi Crenshaw

Edutopia

February 3, 2025

In her article "Teaching Students About the Richness of Black Language Traditions," published on February 3, 2025, Mackensi Crenshaw emphasizes the importance of integrating Black linguistic heritage into educational curricula, especially during Black History Month. She advocates for recognizing and celebrating the diverse literacy practices within Black communities, which often extend beyond traditional reading and writing to include oral, visual, musical, and multimedia expressions.

Understanding Multiliteracy

Crenshaw introduces the concept of multiliteracy, which acknowledges various modes of communication—such as visual, auditory, oral, and digital—as integral to literacy. This framework recognizes that traditional literacy has not always been accessible to Black Americans due to historical barriers like anti-literacy laws and systemic discrimination. In response, Black communities have cultivated rich traditions in music, visual arts, oral storytelling, and other forms of expression to document and share their experiences. By incorporating these diverse literacy practices into the classroom, educators can provide a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of Black history and culture.

Strategies for Educators

Crenshaw offers three strategies for educators to effectively incorporate Black language traditions into their teaching:

1. Teach the Origins and Richness of Language in the United States

   Language is dynamic, evolving through cultural interactions and historical events. Crenshaw suggests that educators provide explicit instruction on linguistic fundamentals—such as phonetics, morphology, and syntax—to help students appreciate the systematic nature of various dialects. For example, by examining Appalachian English, students can identify linguistic patterns and understand its complexity. This foundation enables students to value dialects like African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and Gullah Geechee as legitimate language systems, rather than viewing them as "broken" or "incorrect" English. This approach also prepares students to engage with literary works by authors who incorporate AAVE, such as Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, and Langston Hughes.

2. Engage with Texts and Individuals Preserving Black Literacy

   Beyond well-known speeches and poems, educators should explore less commonly taught texts that document Black oral traditions and language. Crenshaw highlights the work of Zora Neale Hurston, an anthropologist and author who captured the stories and dialects of Black communities in the South. Hurston's collections, like "Mules and Men," offer students insight into the music, language, and oral narratives of these communities from an insider's perspective. In music studies, analyzing sampling in hip-hop allows students to trace cultural and historical references, understanding how contemporary artists like Kendrick Lamar draw upon predecessors such as James Brown and the Isley Brothers to comment on ongoing social issues.

3. Explore Beyond Prominent Figures

   While figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks are central to Black history, Crenshaw encourages educators to introduce students to other influential individuals across various fields. For instance, Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, played a pivotal role in shaping American music and offers a lens to discuss the Great Migration and Black entrepreneurship. Similarly, sculptor Augusta Savage, known for her work during the Harlem Renaissance, provides opportunities to explore the intersection of art and music, as seen in her piece "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Discussing why such figures are less emphasized in traditional curricula can lead to critical conversations about historical narratives and representation.

Conclusion

Integrating Black language traditions into education enriches students' understanding of American history and culture. By embracing multiliteracy, educators can honor the diverse ways Black communities have expressed and preserved their experiences, fostering a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of history. This approach not only enhances academic skills but also validates the cultural identities of Black students, promoting a sense of belonging and respect within the classroom.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com