Letter To The Editor: Sarah E. Needleman 

It truly saddens me to have express my concerns on this topic as I find it completely absurd that this is even an issue. As a concerned linguist that has been studying the english language for several years, I was quite flabbergasted at some of the points that were brought up in the article, “Thx for the IView! I Wud <3 to Work 4 U!! ;)”, by Sarah E. Needleman. 

In the article it is stressed that speaking in this “casual tone” english is looked down upon, and is a significant turn off when it comes to hiring managers. It was mentioned that even though the candidate that was interviewed for this role was, “qualified”, “enthusiastic”, and “the intern she craved”, the hiring manager had a complete change of heart as she received an email with the candidate using “exclamation points and smiley-face emoticon”. 

To belittle all the skills and potential that this candidate might have, and judge off of the language she chooses to use when sending a thank-you email, is completely absurd. In the article it is said that using that idiolect hints at immaturity and questionable judgment, which (in further analyzation) is the polar opposite. For example, during the interview the hiring manager evidently was impressed by the candidate, which meant that the candidate was able to code switch from her natural dialect, to a more academic/“proper” english. This shows that not only is the candidate equipped with both the dialects, but is also able to use them in the right contexts. 

The english language has been around for many years, and each time a new dialect of english arises it is always discriminated against and frowned upon, yet that english that was once frowned upon is the english that is now considered “academic”. To be quite frank, the language of the youth now, is just a result of new and upcoming technology. As long as more and more technology is founded the more and more our language will evolve. To perceive that as “disrespectful” is illogical, as it was a mere thank you email, and not a letter to the congress. The hiring managers look at this language as unprofessional, and fear it following to the work space. This idea will only have its place in certain careers. Some careers depend on being able to have formal speech in your communication, some careers are purely skill based and formal speech is not a requirement.

With that being said, if a candidate goes through the process of an interview and is able to hold a formal conversation with you, and is able to meet the criteria that you are looking for in an employer; then I am almost certain that changing your mind over a couple abbreviations in a thank you email would be characteristics of a very “immature and questionable judgement” person. 

Bob Marley's Legacy

April 24, 1978 

Bob Marley's Legacy:

Interviewer: 

“We just about witnessed what might be a life changing event for many citizens of Jamaica. At this very crucial moment in Jamaican politics, two political leaders joined hands with Bob Marley on stage at the “One Love Peace Concert” as a truce and a celebration of the ending of constant killings. Bob Marley’s emotional performance raised money and improved the conditions in the Kingston ghettos, Marley’s hometown. The audience that night was divided by love as sections of the house were named: togetherness, love, and peace. Thanks to Bob that night opened many eyes and we could go as far as saying helped stop the on-going civil war. 

I’m sure everyone would very much like to hear from the ”King of Reggae” himself on how his music could change a whole community for the better. Thank you for taking the time out to speak with us here on The Rolling Stone.”

Bob Marley: 

“ It’s a pleasure being here”

Interviewer:

“So everyone wants to know, what galvanised you to do such a thing?”

Bob Marley:

“You know, seein’ your country/town that you grew up in, almost go down in flames, its heartbreakin’ you know, and me just figured I have such a great platform to raise my voice and stand up for peace and stand up for a truce, and that was kind of the backstory to the “One Love” song that I preformed. This would have to be one my favourite songs to preform, because it has such a compelling message behind it. A message of unity, peace, and love. It has a warm and light hearted feeling that when we are together, anything is possible man.”

Interviewer: 

“There seemed to be almost a peak in those 5+ hours of the concert. To you what would you see the highlight was?”

Bob Marley: 

“You know I’m all about showing unity and a sense of togetherness. So me call on Michael  Manly and Edward Seaga to hold our hands together up high while singin’ “jammin’”, and show Jamaica that we will stay together even in low times. During the concert I said that: “I invited people of the slaves to shake hands to show the people that you love them right, to show the people that you gonna unite, show the people that you’re over bright, show the people that everything is all right.” Me tried so hard to send a message across to these people, and hold them tight in arms. I know I don't talk proper english very good but I hope it was clear to everyone what my purpose was. I want to give love instead, I want to make love drown hate.”

Interviewer:

“Seeing as you like to take part in politics wether its in your songs, or while preforming in concerts, don't you ever get scared that doing so, might cause in a rage in someone that disagrees and potentially hurt you?”

Bob Marley:

“When you say take part in Politics. I don't know what it is You say stand up for my community and take part in my rights. I know what that is. I don't care what man doesn't like, my rights are myself. My life is myself, you know.  All I have is that. I am able to say, I don't want this I want that. Me a rebel man. Me a revolutionist. 

Interviewer: 

“So when you look in the mirror, is that what you see?”

Bob Marley:

“I take no bribe from no one, meh fight my problems single-handed. My music, is the future. It is the escape. Me see myself as someone who don't have no help for no man.” 

Interviewer: 

“Well there’s no doubt that your music, has brought hope to the people in Jamaica in time of great catosrphe and a time where people had very little light left, but your music seemed to allow them to hold on to that little string of happiness they have left. Do you agree that your music and talents rose to fame in perfect timing?”

Bob Marley:

“Well, very much. There was political and social problems in Jamaica and people in poverty and bad living, they needed someone to give them hope. They needed something fresh and vibrant, a sort of boost. Everyone needed positive energy and a fresh perspective, and I hope that with my music that was something unforgettable.”

Interviewer:

“I’m sure that the people of Jamaica will thank you very much for everything you provided. Thank you for spending this time with me, I’m sure the pope of America will appreciate it just as much. We all can’t wait to see what the future of reggae looks like. 

Where are the "Changes"?

When analysing Tupac’s very widely known song, “Changes”, it is evident that he expresses his viewpoint on many concerning subjects and injustices, such as, racial profiling, poverty and racism. Tupac seems to stress an overall theme that there needs to be immediate action taken and changes made, to stop the poverty and racism that African-Americans have to face every day. This song gives a reader a “V.I.P. pass” at the daily life of an African-American. Firstly, Tupac embellishes on the lack of change and criticises the system of our society. He states in the second verse, “I see no changes. All I see is racist faces”. This is outlining the lack of effort our government has put in to stop this issue. If you refer back to the “changes” that were presented after the African-American Civil Right Movement in the 50’s and 60’s, they were supposed to halt social issues that black Americans might have been facing at the time. In Tupac’s song he makes a clear that he has seen no adjustments in the system.  Secondly, not only does Tupac bring light to what seems like a never ending issue, he also suggests possible resolutions. “I got love for my brother, but we can never go anywhere unless we share with each other. We gotta start makin’ changes.” The use of the pronoun, “we”, represents the African-American community. Furthermore, he suggests that unity is the only solution ton solving these social issues. All African-Americans need to come together and solve poverty, racism, and violence. In one of Tupac’s first argument, he mentions a correlation between skin colour and social class, “I’m tired of bein’ poor and even worse I’m black”. He then moves on to clarify how poverty is a man-made crime: “My stomach hurts, so I’m lookin’ for a purse to snatch.” He then lastly shines a light on police brutality and how its linked to skin colour as well, “Cops give a damn about a negro? Pull the trigger, kill a nigga, he’s a hero.” By mentioning all the above issues he is hoping to open the eyes of black Americans and initiate a movement. Tupac is dropping the idea that we should unite, but nobody is willing to follow along and get their hands in the dirt. People say they want change, but nobody is willing to put in time to fulfil that fantasy. 

Bilingual In a New Country?

I spent a total of 2240 days out of my life living in Canada. That’s a total of 6 years, 1 month, and 20 days. I lived in an area where when people heard me speak in a different language on the phone with my mother, the whole school would gather in a circle just to listen to the conversation in Arabic. They found the sound of a different language so fascinating.  I would most often hear phrases like, “So if you’re from Arab, then how do you speak such perfect English.” (Just to clarify I did not make a mistake there. Yes they would actually ask me if I was from Arab). 

At the age of 9, I entered grade 4 not knowing anyone or anything about the school and the environment. Knowing all the odds were against me, I still harnessed all the power I had in me, because I knew the only thing that made me confident was my ability to speak “perfect english.” 

Before going to Canada, I was actually born and raised in the U.A.E. which meant that from a very young age, my english was very strong as I have been learning it since I was little. Knowing that I was able to communicate just as well as all my classmates, really gave me the confidence to get through the first day. Making friends was easy, as a I had 25 curious kids run up to me asking about the exotic place that I had traveled from. I had to explain to them that I was from Dubai since in this day and age that is the place that is most known. Even though I had actually lived in Abu Dhabi, I knew that that would cause confusion so I just stuck with what they know. 

The curiosity did not just stop at the students. I remember very vividly that the teachers were the ones that asked me the most questions.They even asked to prepare a slideshow presentation explaining to my class where I was from, and where it was on the map. The presentations and projects didn't stop there. I even went on to lead an art project where they had me write on a piece of paper every students’ name in Arabic, and they went on to outline it in paint. I was also volunteered to speak to the whole school at the annual talent show, where my “talent” was speaking another language.

Even though people found it very unique that I spoke a different language, at the end of the day my life consisted of primarily speaking english. That’s 6 years of waking up and going to sleep, speaking in english. No Arabic practice, not writing, not reading, and not speaking. This definitely put a toll on how well I could communicate with my family back in the U.A.E. My skills in reading and writing continued to be the same as where I left them, which was grade 3. So when I ended up coming back here to the UAE, it was definitely an insecurity that I faced. I felt that part of my identity had been broken or fractured. Luckily when I came back I could recover very quickly and I instantly felt more connected with my culture as I progressed my skills in reading and writing. 

As a 9 year old at the time I loved all this power and authority I was given just because I was bilingual. At the time I started thinking being bilingual wasn’t all that bad. That’s when I was proven wrong. The more and more that me and my family got comfortable with knowing that we were the people that were able to speak a different language, especially Arabic, the more and more our adventures got interesting. We owned a farm back in Canada, and every once in a while, we would take our produce up to the farmer’s market and sell our organic fruits and vegetables. 

One day a man came up to our stall and started asking us for incomplete orders and changing his mind quite frequently on what he wanted. We were very busy at this moment, so my aunt started to get frustrated. The man looked quite Caucasian with dirty blond hair and ocean swept eyes, plus we very rarely meet other Arabs. So, in Arabic, she says “Listen man, our stall isn't just set up for you, there are other people waiting, get your head together!” 

The man replies in Arabic, “I won’t be much longer”, he then takes his produce and marches away.