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Jessica Williams

Dr. Eugene Ngezem

ENGL 1102

3 June 2019

RRR on Baldwin

James Baldwin’s “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me What Is?” (July 29,

1979) is an informative essay suggesting that black English is appropriate and should be

accepted like other languages. Throughout the essay, Baldwin discusses the histories of different

languages, specifically the black language in regard to its effects on the black community.

Baldwin’s purpose for writing the essay was to inform his audience of the history of black

English, others’ opinions on black English, and how black English is integral to black history.

Baldwin’s audience is those who seek to have a better understanding of the history of black

English as indicated by his writing structure and tone throughout the essay.

Baldwin’s essay contains many buzzwords and requires a lot of thought to be fully

understood. I had to read the text multiple times to understand Baldwin’s point-of-view. Baldwin

states, “We, the blacks, are in trouble, certainly, but we are not doomed, and we are not

inarticulate because we are not compelled to defend a morality that we know to be a lie” (1). As

a black woman in America, I tend to code switch depending on which setting I’m in. In today’s

society, black English is emulated and used in pop culture but is still looked down upon in

various settings.

James Baldwin’s essay was thought provoking and can be used as a tool to educate the

ignorant on black English. Baldwin gets his point across through his use of citations, examples,

and quotes from other authors. Such authors include Toni Morrison. Throughout the essay,
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Baldwin stresses that black English is more than a “dialect” and should not be ridiculed simply

because certain people can’t understand it. This essay was well structured and supported with

outside information. The tone of the essay was very academic and informative. Baldwin states,

“Black English is the creation of the black diaspora. Blacks came to the United States

chained to each other, but from different tribes: Neither could speak the other's language.

If two black people, at that bitter hour of the world's history, had been able to speak to

each other, the institution of chattel slavery could never have lasted as long as it did” (1).

Black people have adapted to their environments and persevered for generations. James

Baldwin’s essay gave great insight to black English’s impact on black people. During slavery

and in present day, black English is an important, powerful tool and will continue to be a topic of

discussion for generations to come.

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Works Cited

Baldwin, James. “If Black English Isn't a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?” The New York

Times, The New York Times, 29 July 1979,

archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/98/03/29/specials/baldwin-english.html.