Two Quotes and Rebuttals
Random image: Mousie's political slogan: "Reaching for new heights."Quote from comment on Maria's blog: "When Dan Damon put out false information about libraries, funding and the association with the Mayor, you did not see Bernice put out any "wacko" statements on that. "
Response from me: Well, for one thing, Dan is not my elected representative in Trenton, voting on all sorts of matters that may directly affect my pocketbook and daily experiences. Dan can fulminate all he wants, but his statements are ultimately irrelevant unless people endorse them.
Quote from Jerry Green's Page: "I had an opportunity yesterday to participate in a tour of the new Senior Citizen Facility on East Front Street. It is a building that the citizens of Plainfield can take pride. Similar condo units would probably go for $100,000 or more in other parts of the State. It was also rewarding to hear that we are getting a lot of people from New York who has shown interest in purchasing these units."
Response from me: My sixth grade teacher would freak if she had to grade this statement for proper use of English. Luckily she is in a better world. The comment on pricing is especially faulty. Think about it.
Voters today want smart, well-spoken, thoughtful representatives. It is a necessity in this world, even at the state and local level. Whether we will get such choices is problematic, but we can still hope.
--Bernice Paglia
posted by Bernice at 5:49 PM
10 Comments:
hmmmm jerry green? that sounds like ebonics 2 me.i think i can do better than that.being from a foreign country.and english is not my native tongue.
On the Senior Center, Mr Green also mentioned a ribbon cutting ceremony. I wonder if this one will be a faux ceremony or will Green/Robinson actually deliver a ceremony that is real. Language skills or not, my plate gets filled with what is real. Not by grammar proficiency.
Gee, $100K or more in other towns... So what are these? $25K?? Only in Plainfield. I didnt realize they taught Ebonics in Trenton.
I thought the condos were priced at 199K +? they are less than 100K? hmm..more affordable housing? or, is this interpretation due to Jerry's inability to right a coherent sentence?
Hi, Bernice,
A couple of the commenters have been engaging in what I would consider racist rhetoric in referring to the blog quote as evidence of "ebonics." I am not a political supporter of the assemblyman, but I think that this kind of attack serves no good purpose. As a professional educator, I can confirm that subject/verb agreement errors are made by everyone at one time or another, regardless of race. I cringe at grammatical errors as well, but it serves no positive purpose for these commenters to make these references.
Rebecca
In life, all of us are given certain talents. Reading Bernice’s blog today tells me that she is getting more and more confused regarding the makings of a good politician. The comments that her and her buddies make in terms of the qualities a politician brings to the table are ridiculous.
Over the years I’ve seen mistakes in her writing, as well as her inability to make issues clear to the public and her empty answers. One thing you cannot take away from Mr. Green is that he is one of the most politically astute officials in NJ. He’s honest, effective, uses common sense, and is not ignorant to class issues. These are qualities I look for in a politician. Maybe this is why he’s been so successful as a politician and has an immaculate reputation in the State House.
So please Bernice, stop embarrassing yourself. Please respond to this blog. Is Mr. Green political astute or is he dumb? Does he mirror Adrian Mapp’s political disconnection, not having a clue to the pulse of his own community?
For eight years, the entire country laughed at George Bush’s obvious lack of intelligence and not ONCE did I read of your speaking out against that quality of his. But hey, I guess people like you are afraid to speak out against their heroes.
I have heard you speak in public, and believe me, it is very awkward to hear. Your sixth grade teacher must have had to take a tall stiff drink after class. And if you have a learning disability, I sincerely apologize.
Hi Bernice,
Sorry to read such commentaries here in your blog.
Obviously the issue here, or what I think the issue is, got lost "in translation".
You are right that most of us would like, and feel we deserve, a better representation in Trenton. In my four years here I have yet to find a connection to Assemblyman Jerry Green, and I have tried to, but nothing, Zero, Nada.
I find Anonymous Commentators, such as your 11:50 AM, a great representation of what is wrong around here in Plainfield. Not only do they try to minimize whatever mistake Green does, or makes, but they demonize, minimize, and insult those of us who speak up.
As for Ebonics goes, I am still trying to learn exactly what the term is, but now wonder what is it that is call when I make grammatical mistakes. Spanics?
My only consolation is that having so many British friends I often hear the same complains when they refer to the way Americans speak and write English.
So let those blinkered commentators be belt up by their own ignorance and don't take anything personal.
Maria Pellum
Jerry is "honest, effective, uses common sense, and is not ignorant to class issues." He is a politician...they do not know the meaing of honest. Not ignorant to class issues...look around. if he is "looking to keep a brotha down", he is doing a great job at it. If he gave a damn, Plainfield would not be where it is today. Racism in comments?? Try spell check. He is an elected official. there should be no errors in communication from him. Ebonics is not something to be proud of, it is something to be fixed. I think an educator would agree.
To the blogger of 11:32AM...I certainly differ in opinion. Ebonics is a valid language syntax and should not be a source of shame as you would have it to be. I speak Ebonics and hope to always have the wherewithall to relax my station and bring it home. WORD! PS: Your assumption is that Ebonics replaces Good sound English practices...oh contraire...it is in addition too. You don't like it...don't speak it, but certainly do not minimize the tool itself nor the people who use it!
The debate rages on!
For support of Anon. 9:50 a.m., see below:
http://www.cal.org/topics/dialects/aae.html
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