Students' Right to Their Own Language

Helena Chiappa
ENGW 1100, Writing Skills Workshop
September 23, 2016
Prof. Young

Students' Right to Their Own Language

Why shouldn't students have the right to their own language? There's no reason why students like me should not be given equal rights to use our voices. We should be free to express ourselves without boundaries and modifications. The only limit should be if a student's language is harming someone else. In the introduction from the Conference on College Composition and Communication, they explained, "Differences in language have always existed, and the schools have always wrestled around them." This should not be a problem because it should be simple and equal for everyone to share their language and speak how they choose. When I was in high school, I knew there was a way to speak formally to my teachers and then informally to my friends. I never was denied the freedom to talk in a non-proper form of English. My own language is important to me because I feel respected by the people around me.

Some football players, specifically at the moment NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, has provoked controversy by refusing to stand during the national anthem before games. This has sparked the question for student, artists, football figures, and anyone in the public eye having the right to freely express themselves. Should there be limit because they are famous? Personally, I don't see a difference. Colin Kaepernick is a human being just like me and he should not be penalized because he is a public figure. Although some people don't agree with his beliefs and reasons, that doesn't mean he should not be allowed to be open about them. He is not harming anyone.

Anyone, not just students, should not have the right to their own language if it is crossing the line of physically hurting someone else or complicating the way another person lives. Freedom of speech, the first amendment, says this exact thing and there are very similar laws in school for students. Other then this, I believe students should have the right to their own language all the time. When I think of RENNS; reasons, examples, names, numbers, and senses, it affects the quality of a student's voice because it gives them purpose. Having a cause, evidence, and people, makes a connection and support behind them so they won't be afraid to speak up. This also gives students their own identifies and diversities because no one's voices are the same.