Thank you Hector for sharing such a thoughtful and reflective post. You raise important points about the connection between language, identity, and systems of power. I was especially struck by your observations on how language structures - like those in Eastern Pomo versus English - shape the way people perceive the world. Your question about bilingual and multilingual students is also incredibly important. I agree that they bring incredibly valuable perspectives, but too often, their linguistic resources are suppressed rather than celebrated, especially in classrooms where translanguaging is penalized.
Your personal experience with accents and the perception of Mainstream White English as the norm really highlights how language is used to maintain social hierarchies. The story from your field placement echoes some of Baker-Bell’s findings and is a reminder of how educational systems can reinforce harmful ideologies, often under the guise of standardization or accountability. To be given the space to challenge oppressive norms, I 100% agree is crucial.
Your personal experience with accents and the perception of Mainstream White English as the norm really highlights how language is used to maintain social hierarchies. The story from your field placement echoes some of Baker-Bell’s findings and is a reminder of how educational systems can reinforce harmful ideologies, often under the guise of standardization or accountability. To be given the space to challenge oppressive norms, I 100% agree is crucial.