James Baldwin: Black English

James Baldwin is the author of If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?  In his essay, he talks about America and how blacks are treated and looked at as a direct result of language.  Baldwin goes on to explain that his way of speaking is “black English,” coming from his African American background.  He uses language as a way to criticize America for doing him wrong, and states his opinions strongly about it.  He says that America excludes blacks because of language, their language being “black English.”  Today, many blacks are, indeed, excluded and their language is used against them; a fact that has allowed whites to become powerful and superior and, throughout history, control very powerful positions, including being US President.  

James Baldwin has a strong opinion about his language and how it is viewed by Americans.  He states a few points of interest.  Firstly, people use language to distinguish others: their race, social class, education level, etc.  Specifically, Baldwin says Americans use language to distinguish and thus exclude blacks.  If one were to be blind-folded, and three different men in the same room were to repeat the same sentence over multiple times, the blind-folded person would most certainly be able to decipher if the three men were American or foreign.  In addition, who is to say whether a southern accent should be considered foreign, and therefore all southerners should be excluded?  There are many variations of the American language, thus, a foreigner should fit in with American society.  But, although there are many versions of English, the different groups that make up the English language stick together, forming a whole.  That whole, in turn, frowns upon others that don’t speak their own language.  This point, Baldwin says, makes America a disrespectful country, stuck up and selfish.  Secondly, a point Baldwin states, is that language is linked to identity.  As Baldwin puts it, “Language, incontestably, reveals the speaker.”  (Baldwin 276).  This point brings back the example of the blind-folded man who was able to identify the race of three men through just speech.  If one doesn’t speak English correctly, their true identity is revealed; they are foreign.  Another point, Baldwin explains, is that language is used as a political instrument.  Americans are superior to foreigners and control a huge amount of governmental positions.  Americans use it as a way of gaining power over others and to have a feeling of superiority.  The three main topics Baldwin touches upon sets people apart.  But although Americans distinguish and exclude blacks, Americans owe a huge dept to them.  Baldwin explains, “Now, I do not know what white Americans would sound like if there had never been any black people in the United States, but they would not sound the way they sound.”  (Baldwin 277).  Not only is Baldwin saying that African Americans and other foreigners shape the way American English is spoken, but American culture as well.  African Americans developed jazz in America, as well as rap, and other foreigners brought religion and music too.  Blacks brought the idea of freedom, and didn’t take it for granted like Americans do today.  Essentially, blacks strengthened the idea and practice of freedom in America.