Epilogue: How AAL informed our teaching
Before attending the University of South Carolina and entering into the Urban Education cohort, we had no idea what African American Language was. We both grew up in white-washed school systems where we were taught not to value languages other than those spoken by white people. When taking this course, we were taught about the structures and legitimacy of African American Language, and since then my experiences with African American Language have been life changing. We recognize this language in my daily life and we have seen a child's face light up as we read a book together in African American Language, the language of his home. Whether African American Language is your home language or the concept is completely knew to you, please know that we support you in this journey and that it is worth it. To teach other minds about the beauty and brilliance of African American Language, is to change the white washed prototype that are society has created for generations to come.