Bell Hooks Quote Analysis

"For in the incorrect usage of words, in the incorrect placement of words, was a spirit of rebellion that claimed language as a site of resistance. Using English in a way that ruptured standard usage and meaning, so that white folks could often not understand black speech, made English into more than the oppressor’s language." - Bell Hooks

Text Chosen: Wade In The Water Song (1908, song by Harriet Tubman) 

African slaves would purposefully use incorrect placement of English words when singing slave songs as a spirit of rebellion and use of resistance. In the slave song 'Wade in Water' that was published in 1908 by a well known escaped slaved named Harriet Tubman, the song portrays conceptual evidence of the slaves' struggle of freedom and temptation to escape across the Ohio River. The purpose of this song is to portray how African slaves had a hard time communicating with one another during the 1800's through the portrayal of deep tragedy, fear and hope. Although this text has been used for educational purposes between scholars and intellects, with prominent evidence of secret-codings and spiritual symbolic meanings- there is no doubt that the targeted audiences of this text is solely towards African slaves at that time of oppression, whom were struggling to find their pathway to freedom. 

Tubman uses a consistent rhythmic style through the use of a systematic structure that effectively creates a spirit of rebellion thus, establishing the use of language as a power of resistance. With the use of instructive diction such as : "If you don't believe I've redeemed" Tubman clearly challenges one to face their worries by crossing the Ohio River in order to be redeemed meaning, to be free again. In addition to so, Tubman has a declarative tone that creates a trustful mood of which is evident when she says : "God's promise that if you ask, it shall be given." This portrays to readers how the "Wade in Water" is a song that directs a dramatic story of God's strength to restore and redeem through the use of spiritual witnesses and memories. 

"Wade in Water" comprises of spiritual meanings and secret-codings against the white folks that evokes a sense of rebellion and resistance. With the reference of God by saying: "Wade in the water, God's gonna trouble the water", Tubman establishes a directive tone by instructing the runaway slaves located in the Underground Railroad to seek water in order to escape from the bloodhounds that were sent down to track them. By doing so, the bloodhounds would not be able to smell them since they "Waded" in the water that is a secret term between the slaves that means hide in the water. There is continuous evidence of spiritual meanings of the Jordan River as it states: "If you don't believe I've redeemed, follow me down to Jordan's stream". Clearly, Tubman further reminds the reader of the Jordan River's Biblical reference by reinforcing how the Jordan River is a significant aspect of African slaves since similarly to the  Ohio River,  it is their pathway to freedom. Through the use of logos, the embedded Biblical narratives and allusions such as "Go Down, moses" (Songs of Zion, 112) is a spiritual of liberation where armies of Pharaohs were sunk in the sea portraying how water was a vital aspect of their slave experience. Similarly to Africans that would travel across to a new land, the Ohio River was the separating border between slavery and freedom on the Underground railroad.

Bell Hooks quote effectively relates to the tragic oppression and hope of the African salves portrayed in the song “Wade in the Water” since it denotes the sense that the “oppressors language” was more than just a way of communicating but rather, a way of empowerment towards African slaves. This is accomplished through the use of secret coding of spiritual references and instructive diction that progresses a community of opposition whom are able to utilise Standard English for their benefit to prevent the predominant white race understanding their tactics.