Keron Odiean

English 1010

Feb. 22, 2017

The Energy of Language

Why do we communicate to each other via speech? For a while I thought it was a token

of humanity, a symbol for what makes us human. There are very few mammals outside of the

human race that are capable of communication through the speech of language. It may even be

safe to postulate that language is a personal gift granted to us all as a result of our evolutionary

progress. Therefore, I believe that language is directly linked to the energy within us.

Additionally, it can be utilized directly or indirectly to affect the energy of those around you

through communication.

What does energy mean exactly? It has multiple definitions by book but to me it’s the

constant flow of vibes in a set environment. The word, vibe, a derivative of vibration, naturally

refers to a person’s emotional state or the atmosphere of a setting confirmed by mutual feelings.

Many aspects of daily life can directly/indirectly influence a vibe, aspects such as body language,

speech and or physical activities (working, playing, dancing, etc.). Therefore, energy can be

translated outwards from the source in more ways than one.

It was my senior year in Edward R. Murrow High School when I decided to challenge

myself and take up Russian. It’s a very diverse school in Brooklyn, located in the Midwood area

so it offered a lot of room for change. I completed all my Spanish courses and passed the final

exam so I wanted a change of scenery/energy. Imagine taking the same language since seventh

grade up until your junior year of high school. Sometimes I believe that because I was born in
Miami, Florida despite losing the language due to moving (age 2) I could always relearn it easily.

I also had quite a few Russian friends that I respected greatly so I wanted to explore more about

their language.

The very first day of class (senior year) was filled up with anxiety I could never forget.

Every bell that signaled the end of class also signaled the beginning of my frantic heart running

amok. My apprehension grew the closer I was to the period in which Russian began, up until the

point where I went up those stairs to the second floor and I made my way to the classroom, hand

soaked, heart racing, prepared for anything. “It’s finally time for a change of scenery,” I said to

myself as I entered the extension which contained my class. I saw the Russian teacher that I was

assigned to in the distance. “Ms. K” is what students called her for short. She had a reputation for

being mean and strict amongst students. How exciting for the student that’s already nervous just

to attend right? I approached with the least amount of hostility possible so that I would not get a

bad reaction out of her. As soon as I attempted to make my way into the class I was blocked by

her arm. “Vat you are doing here?” she asks with a Russian accent so thick not even a hammer

could malleate it. I’m black so presumption didn’t come as a shock to me but it did make my

hands sweat more. I simply smiled and asked her “This is Russian, no?” She backfired

immediately with both eyes wide open clearly expressing her surprise and asks “You take

Russian?” “Da (Yes)” I responded. This is where I had the opportunity to challenge the pre-

judgment of humans. The chance to show that a black male not born to Russian speaking parents

could pass in a high school native Russian speaking class.

I had wondered for a long time how I would be treated if I went into a situation like being

the only minority in a class. Most of the kids in my class at the time were freshmen because it

was the first level Russian class. I thought to myself that maybe it wouldn’t be that bad. I always
viewed myself as someone who can adapt to a variety of situations, someone who can integrate

with any given anomaly and make it just. I put this in the same category as the English language

for example. As a human being I can say over the years I’ve adapted to the English language and

that I’ve evolved at speaking it. The way I alter my dialect depending on who’s around me is

synonymous to the way that I just naturally adapt to a given situation. Two different fruits to the

same tree are how I see this. I set the tone/vibe in my Russian class that same day through my

conveyance of the English language. It started with a simple question asked by my peers around

me, “Why are you taking Russian?” As I looked at their faces I couldn’t understand their

confusion, probably the same way that they couldn’t understand why a black male would subject

himself to such a change in environment. “I want to challenge myself.”

I did just that and I loved every moment of it. I batted off the idea that I was possibly or

could be “One of those black people” through the expression of my character. The main factor in

this entire situation was the idea that I was the only minority in class. However, I did not let that

be a contributing factor to my performance in the class. Rather than be upset at the fact that I

even need to change people’s perception in the first place, I embraced the opportunity of being

exposed to Russian culture on a broader scale. I honestly believe that the respect for my

determination to learn and adapt underneath different conditions is how my peers’ perception

changed.

This was all accomplished through the energy I conveyed by my expression of the

English language. My jargon and use of language in addition to my ability to learn a new,

complex language influenced the perception of my peers. I analyzed, I compared and then I

executed the differences that Russian had from English. As the year progressed my proficiency

at the language was evident through my ability to read and write. The way I was viewed changed
significantly throughout the semester. After a while I started coming to class and everyone would

express “Oh, hey, there’s Keron!” This entire journey I believed that maybe if they understood

what I stood for as a human, where my energy lies as a person that their pre-disposition towards

black people would change. Maybe it was a bit of a far-fetched thought but I did not deem it

impossible. The reason for that is because energy exists within our methods of communication.

They can affect the very mood that we’re in at any given moment in time. Throughout my time

in Russian class I learned that language isn’t just a method of communication but a direct

pathway into understanding the energy/thought of others.

WC: 1165