Rachel Fugate Blog #3 The Power of Language

Do you speak English? How does the US configure in Anderson's notions on the role of language and literacy/print in imagining a nation?

What an interesting question to ask. Do you speak English? Such an odd thing to actually think about when every day I use the language. But I think it is very true that sometimes Americans consider English their language, when it is actually used in many different nations. But we don't classify the English language in means of a nation. Of course some would say that we speak American but when they say that they mean English, but the US can not claim that language. Anderson seemed to look at the different ways that language can form into the nations experience of formation. We use language to communicate with others. Some would say it is what separates us from other animals. While I don't completely agree with that notion it still stands that language is a major part of the human society when it comes to forming ideas.

It is interesting because just today in my philosophy class we were discussing the notion of Platonism, which deals with this kind of concept when forming ideas about an objects identity. It reminded me of our discussion about the black face minstrelsy. We use language to communicate with the world about our nation. Mcadoo was trying to use language as a tool to make people understand about his world and how his culture and nation fit into it. He was trying to change how people perceived those who are colored. Then I though even further into the Platonism theory and I found that it also carried over to The Colored Museum, much like Mcadoos work. Language and the way we use it is a way to communicate and on some level manipulate others.

The segment in the Colored Museum that stuck out to me the most was Miss Roj. The way language was used in that segment was astounding. It was colorful and vibrant and comedic, but by the end he had you thinking so much into the important concepts that he was communicating to the audience. The underlying principles that were so important to his argument were so much more persuasive when he approached the audience like he did. I had so much running through my mind when he was performing, but due to my rather limited background when dealing with the prejudice he was discussing I hardly connected with that part of his segment. I did however admire how well the language was used by the play write.

So yes I speak English, but I have no where near the ability to use it to its full potential when it comes to the ways it can be applied. English forms the basis of our nation. It can be used to bring about massive change without the need for violence. The question that this entire week has raised for me is if language is so powerful in the use of making change why do we resort to other means? What makes us abandon negotiation for unrest?