Dr. Angela Batista, Associate Dean of Students
Dr. Lulesa Hammond, Interim VP of Human Resources and Administration

Jess Miller, Director, Services for Students with Disabilities
Gina Rosabal, Director of Social Justice Initiatives and Associate Director, Summer Academic Workshop (SAW)

Just as fish probably do not notice water, precisely because they are in it always, humans tend not to notice the structure and surface features of language—though we are quite adept at decoding its meaning from an early age. Yet, language is a powerful symbol of power and status. Language is also how power is exercised and maintained in our society. Finally, language is a marker and source of cultural, ethnic, racial, class, and group identity. We often make subconscious assumptions about a person's worth and power purely on how they speak or write.

Nowhere is this more true than in schools, where language is not only the predominant medium of instruction but its use and levels of proficiency are also legitimate criteria of discrimination. Given its importance and multi-layered complexity, it behooves everyone involved in education at all levels to gain critical awareness of language. Working with examples of language use in a variety of contexts, in this session we will examine the power and status differences behind language and ways in which we judge each other based entirely on this essentially human behavior. Through small group discussions and exercises we will aim to gain awareness toward and question perceptions of linguistic differences and work toward equity and social justice.