As I was reading the Delpit piece, I kept seeing the cover art from the 1985 Wynton Marsalis album Black Codes (From the Underground). It ended up being my visual anchor.
Like other powerful human endowments, language is frustratingly euphoric. It is both riptide and lifeguard, but its inescapable tautology is all we have That discussions of the ineffable must proceed from such a blunt instrument is damaging at worst, laughable at best, and an object lesson in diminishing returns.
As one of the principal components of her "codes," Delpit posits language as the currency with which to purchase success in white culture (25). Accordingly, it seems that she is forwarding an idea of language as "skill" - something direct and explicit that can be understood by all, but especially appreciated by those without power.
It's late, I'll finish tomorrow.
Beautiful image to anchor your thoughts... :)
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