Endorsements
AAAL Public Affairs and Engagement Committee Endorsement of AERA Statement in Support of Transgender and Non-Binary Persons
AAAL endorses the recent AERA statement in support of non-binary and transgender individuals. Anti-trans discourses and gender normative practices, including gender normative language practices, can make non-binary and transgender individuals feel unwelcome and unsafe in schools, sports teams, health clinics, other institutions, and in society more broadly; worse, anti-trans discourse and gender-normative practices can incite violence toward non-binary and trans individuals. This endorsement sends a clear message about the field’s collective perspective on the connections between gender-inclusive language, policy and social justice.
AAAL’s mission focuses on “improv(ing) the lives of individuals and conditions in society” with regards to language-related issues. Applied linguists are critical of the ways in which language and public policy can exclude individuals with particular identities from institutions and communities. Queer linguistics is specifically focused on LGBTQ+ issues in language, including understanding anti-LGBTQ+ practices, heteronormativity, and gender normativity, and exploring LGBTQ+ inclusive possibilities for language and society. It is essential for the field to prioritize cultivating scholars and practitioners who contribute to LGBTQ+ inclusivity in our teaching, research, and public engagement in order to move toward a more inclusive society.
Applied linguists continue to examine the ways in which normative gender expectations are reified through our language practices, and we also explore the ways in which individuals modify language in creative ways to include identities that diverge from normative gender expectations. We endorse AERA’s urging of researchers to “leverage their research, platforms and networks in pursuit of justice for non-binary and transgender persons” (AERA, 2021).
References
American Educational Research Association. (2021). Statement from AERA President Shaun R. Harper and Executive Director Felice J. Levine in Support of Transgender and Non-binary Persons.https://www.aera.net/Newsroom/Statement-from-AERA-President-Shaun-R-Harper-and-Executive-Director-Felice-J-Levine-in-Support-of-Transgender-and-Non-Binary-Persons
Other Resources
Trevor Project. (2019). Research Brief: Data on Transgender Youth. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/2019/02/22/research-brief-data-on-transgender-youth/
Affairs and Engagement Committee Endorsement of TESOL Statement on Capitol Building Attack
AAAL endorses the recent TESOL statement focused on the US Capitol Building attack. AAAL’s mission focuses on “improv(ing) the lives of individuals and conditions in society.” To work in solidarity with others moving towards social change, it is critical for AAAL members to be aware of TESOL's statement about the attack on democracy, fueled by white supremacy. The TESOL statement and AAAL’s endorsement of it sends a clear message about the field’s collective perspective on the connections among democracy, systemic injustice, discourse, and social change.
Applied linguists observe and interpret the lives of individuals, the practices of communities, and the ways in which our interactions shape and are shaped by contexts in the real world. Critical applied linguists focus their observations on issues of justice including oppression, power, political discourse, language and the media, and racism. It is essential for the field to prioritize cultivating scholars and practitioners who are not only aware of and examining these issues but collaborating to contribute to social change - in our teaching, research, and public engagement.
Legacies of oppression and anti-democractic rhetoric continue into the present day, and have ongoing dire consequences in the lives of all in the United States. Examining the role of language/discourse in the media/online spaces, and their relationship with hate and political rhetoric, should be a collective endeavor. It is our shared responsibility in scholarly communities to attend to these consequences to effect a socially just society. It is essential to recognize and reckon with these truths in order to create a more just world.
AAAL PAEC Endorsement of ACTFL and TESOL Statements on the Killing of George Floyd and Systemic Racism/Racial Injustice in the US
The name of the issuer (whether organization or individual) of the Position Statement/Resolution
ACTFL Statement
TESOL Statement
The clearly-stated purpose and rationale for endorsement
AAAL endorses the recent statements by ACTFL and TESOL focused on the killing of George Floyd and systemic racism in the United States. AAAL’s mission focuses on “improv(ing) the lives of individuals and conditions in society.” Systemic racism impacts black lives in every sector of society, and these statements are critical for AAAL members to be aware of in order to work in solidarity with others moving towards social change. This endorsement sends a clear message about the field’s collective perspective on the connections between anti-racism and justice.
The issue’s importance to the field as a whole
Applied linguists observe and interpret the lives of individuals, the practices of communities, and the ways in which our interactions shape and are shaped by contexts in the real world. Critical applied linguists focus their observations on issues of justice including linguistic racism, oppressive language policies, marginalization based on language use, and language endangerment. It is essential for the field to prioritize cultivating scholars and practitioners who are not only aware of and examining these issues but collaborating to contribute to social change - in our teaching, research, and public engagement. We also need to foster anti-racism within the practices of our field by opening paths for greater diversity in our associations and across faculty ranks.
The issue’s importance to the general public
Legacies of slavery, colonialism, and oppression continue into the present day, and have ongoing dire consequences for black lives. It is our shared responsibility in scholarly communities to attend to these consequences to effect a socially just society. It is essential to recognize and reckon with these truths in order to create a more just world.
A brief summary of related representative research findings
From The Atlantic
From NPR
From Chalkbeat
Related statements by other professional organizations:
Any Related Recommendations
We recommend that a position statement focused on anti-racism be created by AAAL in the future. The PAEC would be happy to write this statement, with a goal of completing it by June 15th. The public recognition of the experiences of all racialized and subjugated groups should be a priority for AAAL moving forward, as it connects to the mission of AAAL as a whole. We also recommend that the association contribute to an academic culture that is more welcoming to diverse individuals, groups, and perspectives.
AAAL PAEC Endorsement of House Resolution 908 “Condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID-19”
The name of the issuer (whether organization or individual) of the Position Statement/Resolution
The clearly-stated purpose and rationale for endorsement
AAAL endorses House Resolution 908 “Condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID-19” because it is consistent with AAAL’s mission to raise awareness of language-related issues in the real world and “improve the lives of individuals and conditions in society,” as well as with the AAAL Resolution Affirming Commitment to Promoting Diversity in AAAL. The AAAL PAEC believes that the House Resolution is relevant and important for AAAL members to be aware of, and an endorsement would send a clear message of the field’s collective perspective on the connections among language, representation, racism, and justice.
The issue’s importance to the field as a whole
Linguistic and cultural diversity are cornerstones of applied linguistics both ethically and practically, in our teaching, research, and public engagement. The House Resolution highlights how the language we use to represent the world is critical to ensuring justice for everyone.
The issue’s importance to the general public
Language is central to how individuals and groups capture the human experience. It is essential that the language used to describe world events is sensitive and respectful. It is critical for AAAL to combat racist language in all its forms. The rights and needs of all groups can and should be the concern of applied linguists, for those interested in describing the experiences of particular groups as well as those interested in facilitating social change and social justice more broadly.
Where relevant, a brief summary of related representative research findings
Historical context for anti-Asian American racism in the United States
Additional context about anti-Asian American racism in the United States
Information about WHO’s best practices for naming new diseases
The responsibility of educational institutions to ensure justice
Related statements by other professional organizations:
The following ACTFL Statement on Migrant Detention Facilities, Proposed Cuts to Other Resources has been endorsed by the AAAL Executive Committee:
Purpose and rationale for endorsement
AAAL endorses ACTFL’s Statement on Migrant Detention Facilities, Proposed Cuts to Other Resources because it is consistent with AAAL’s mission to raise awareness of language-related issues and “improve the lives of individuals and conditions in society, as well as with the AAAL Resolution Affirming Commitment to Promoting Diversity in AAAL. ACTFL’s Statement recognizes the human rights of adult and children immigrants, highlights the importance of language rights (including access to home languages and legal interpretation services), and emphasizes social justice for these individuals and communities. The AAAL PAEC believes that the statement is relevant and important for AAAL members to be aware of, and an endorsement would send a clear message of the field’s collective perspectives on immigration as it relates to language rights, child development, and educational access.
The issue’s importance to the field as a whole
Linguistic and cultural diversity are cornerstones of applied linguistics both ethically and practically, in our teaching, research, and public engagement. The ACTFL Statement highlights a range of important issues including access to and respect of language as a human right and the impact of immigration policies on adults and children.
The issue’s importance to the general public
Immigration policy and reform has an impact on all areas of public life, including education, criminal justice, economy, environment, and health care. The rights and needs of immigrant adults and children can and should be the concern of applied linguists, for those interested in describing the experiences of diverse groups as well as those interested in facilitating social change and social justice more broadly.
Brief summary of related representative research findings
Language is central to how immigrants experience migration and shapes how these groups are represented in private and public discourse. Language access is a key component of the immigrant experience, as the ACTFL statement highlights in relation to the conditions at detention facilities. See below for multiple sources highlighting the intersections between language and migration: http://linguisticanthropology.org/i-word/
Related statements by other professional organizations:
AERA:
TESOL:
AAA:
https://www.americananthro.org/ParticipateAndAdvocate/AdvocacyDetail.aspx?ItemNumber=24999
The following TESOL Statement on Immigration Policy and Reform has been endorsed by the AAAL Membership:
Purpose and rationale for endorsement
AAAL endorses TESOL’s Position Statement on Immigration Policy and Reform in the United States because it is consistent with AAAL’s mission to raise awareness of language-related issues and “improve the lives of individuals and conditions in society," as well as with the AAAL Resolution Affirming Commitment to Promoting Diversity in AAAL. TESOL’s Position Statement recognizes the human rights of all immigrants and refugees, highlights the importance of creating resources and opportunities for immigrants, and emphasizes equity in access for immigrants and refugees in the United States. The AAAL PAEC believes that the statement is relevant and important for AAAL members to be aware of, and an endorsement would send a clear message of the field’s collective perspectives on immigration.
Importance to the field as a whole
Linguistic and cultural diversity are cornerstones of applied linguistics both ethically and practically, in our teaching, research, and public engagement. The TESOL Position Statement highlights a range of important issues including the role of language in respectful debate, access to and respect of language as a human right, and the impact of immigration policies on students and scholars.
Importance to the general public
Immigration policy and reform has an impact on all areas of public life, including education, criminal justice, economy, environment, and health care. The rights and needs of immigrant groups can and should be the concern of applied linguists, for those interested in describing the experiences of diverse groups as well as those interested in facilitating social change and social justice more broadly.
Related representative research findings
Language is central to how immigrants experience migration and shapes how these groups are represented in private and public discourse. See below for multiple sources highlighting the intersections between language and migration:
http://linguisticanthropology.org/i-word/
Related TESOL Links
http://www.tesol.org/news-landing-page/2017/09/06/tesol-denounces-decision-to-end-daca-calls-on-u.s.-congress-to-act
The letter they were a co-signer on (one of 50 organizations):
http://www.tesol.org/news-landing-page/2017/09/01/tesol-joins-over-50-organizations-in-letter-supporting-daca-to-the-u.s.-president