At Austin Community College, I took classes in Basic Mathematics, Pre-Algebra, Beginning Algebra, and Intermediate Algebra. When I eventually took my undergraduate College Algebra class at Texas State University, I earned an in the class. I honestly believe that I had such difficulty with “A” math, not because I was but because I simply did not acquire the skills I needed “stupid,” for success during my public school years. Perhaps I was unfortunate enough to have had several consecutive incompetent math teachers, but at this point, all I know is that I did not acquire the skills. I am extremely grateful that Austin Community College made these remedial classes available to me. If I had not taken these classes, I would have never been able to earn my B.A. and ultimately my M.A. I see no fundamental difference between my experience with remedial math classes and that of students required to take remedial writing classes. Neither is an indictment of a lack of intelligence, but simply a student’s lack of prerequisite skills necessary for success in a college-level class. In the Thangs You Geneva “English Teacher, Why You Be Doing Don’t Do?” Smitherman identifies a dichotomy that exists between black and white cultures: Black culture is diametrically opposed to white middle class culture. Witness, for example, the ghetto culture’s hair styles, mannerisms, patterns of dress, dance, etc. On a larger scale, note the conflict […] between value systems wherein the pimps, hustlers, and sundry ghetto’s other brothers into an are idealized and respected. The “illegit” thang Black youth must decide is he gon square up and join the mainstream or get super-hip and remain in the street thang? (62)
At Austin Community College, I took classes in Basic Mathematics, Pre-Algebra, Beginning Algebra, and Intermediate Algebra. When I eventually took my undergraduate College Algebra class at Texas State University, I earned an “A” in the class. I honestly believe that I had such difficulty with math, not because I was “stupid,” but because I simply did not acquire the skills I needed for success during my public school years. Perhaps I was unfortunate enough to have had several consecutive incompetent math teachers, but at this point, all I know is that I did not acquire the skills. I am extremely grateful that Austin Community College made these remedial classes available to me. If I had not taken these classes, I would have never been able to earn my B.A. and ultimately my M.A. I see no fundamental difference between my experience with remedial math classes and that of students required to take remedial writing classes. Neither is an indictment of a student’s lack of intelligence, but simply a lack of prerequisite skills necessary for success in a college-level class. In “English Teacher, Why You Be Doing the Thangs You Don’t Do?” Geneva Smitherman identifies a dichotomy that exists between black and white cultures: Black culture is diametrically opposed to white middle class culture. Witness, for example, the ghetto culture’s hair styles, mannerisms, patterns of dress, dance, etc. […] On a larger scale, note the conflict between value systems wherein the ghetto’s pimps, hustlers, and sundry other brothers into an “illegit” thang are idealized and respected. The Black youth must decide is he gon square up and join the mainstream or get super-hip and remain in the street thang? (62)