royster

I found Jacqueline Jones Royster's essay, "When the First Voice You Hear Is Not Your Own" to be very interesteing, especially because I could tie in a lot of what she said to my interdisciplinary communication studies. Voice, she says, is the central manifestation of subjectivity. She uses three scenes of personal stories to demand thoughtful response.

She discusses her struggles being an audience member when the topic of speech is about black people. The speakers claimed authority on the issue to contruct knowledge about Royster and "her kind." Royster notes that "when the subject matter is me and the voice is not mine, my sense of order and rightness is disrupted" (613). I think most people would feel this way. If you listened to someone talking about or criticizing anything from your ethnicity to a sport you play, I would feel annoyed if that person has not been in my shoes; I think this is what Royster was feeling/talking about. These interpretations of human potential creates a distraction in the discourse community (613). She notes though, that she does not believe interpretations are attacks to be unkind, but rather just interpretations.

She then speaks of the concept of "home training." It doesn't matter how smart you are (or think you are :) ) or how much authority you have; you cannot go around "name calling", at least without being trained to respect the points of views other than your own. Simply saying your opinion in a dehumanizing and hurtful things are not appropriate and not good manners. She then suggests that we need to have specific codes of behavior to maintain honor, manners and respect. I feel, though, that there are so many ignorant people that just want to get their opinion out in the open and heard, that they will not care about respect and manners, although I believe they should.

Speakers/writers should research, write and talk with "Others" (people of topic) while upholding a professional demeanor and personal integrity; they must also know that the "Others" of that community will be watching and possibly judging (and perhaps rightfully so!)

Scene three was interesting when Royster talks about different voices. As she explains her frustrations of her friend that said one of her voices was her true, authentic one, Royster affirms that people have many voices all of which may be authentic: "I find it necessary...not to feel compelled to choose one voice over another, not to claim one as more authentic, but rather to construct social realities that celebrate...differences" (619). I think this idea can apply to our tutoring and counteract bastard discourse. If a student, writer, or speaker can become in tuned to the fact that he/she has different voices and to celebrate/utilize them, he/she may be more inclined to try out their different, authentic voices to create an original idea or product.

Royster concludes by explaining how practice makes perfect. If we practice exchanging perspectives, negotiating meaning and creating understanding in respectable manners and good intent, it will become more natural to you. I think this article relates a lot to communication studies. These issues she talks about are necessary in all aspects of interpersonal communication, relationships in general and in businesses. Speaking with authority, yet in a good, respectable nature is pertinant. If we practice the ability to speak up and out, our nation could get much accomplished. Instead of keeping your burning questions, opinions and frustrations about taxes, education, etc. to yourself, learn to talk convincingly to authority to promote open communication!