Black Voices Matter

Abstract

This article examines the role of voice in the writing of African American students from the African American Language (AAL)-speaking culture. Drawing on data from a qualitative study, this article presents empirical evidence that is likely to inform existing and new initiatives to support the voice and writing practices of AAL-speaking students, and by extension, all culturally and linguistically diverse students. This rarely considered insight, I argue, is important as in recent decades there have been a growing number of calls for instructional material that meets the language and literacy development needs of second language speakers and writers. By generating implications that offer rich insight into the nature of teaching voice in writing to African American Language (AAL)-speaking students, and by extension all culturally and linguistically diverse students, this article addresses this call.