Alcoff’s article seems to present the problems of speaking for others, hence the title. Though speaking for others can sometimes seem fine to do, it is often something that can spark conflict. Simply speaking, an example could be when my friend speaks for me about why I was late to an event. Sometimes, this can create conflict and argument because he does not know the whole story and may be saying the wrong words to convey a different picture of what happened. An excellent question from Alcoff, “So the question arises about whether all instances of speaking for should be condemned and, if not, how we can justify a position which would repudiate some speakers while accepting others.” When is it justifiable for someone to speak for others? Never? Speaking for myself is the way that I want to portray myself, but when speaking for and/or about others is a different story. “However, the problem of speaking for others is more specific than the problem of representation generally, and requires its own particular analysis,” according to Alcoff. There is more to just representation, which means there are more deeper meanings to this topic.

The importance of who is the speaker makes a huge difference on the impact. Like Alcoff states, “…how what is said gets heard depends on who says it, and who says it will affect the style and language in which it is stated.” It is only recently that more social equality is beginning to happen and that female writers and writers of ethnicity are being taken seriously. One thing which did not make too much sense to me was the topic of truth and the understanding of it. Hegel and Kant were names of two people referenced of whom I had no knowledge of. Though the idea makes sense, where “the speaker loses some portion of control over the meaning and truth of her utterance.” It is difficult for some to completely portray their thinking and mindset in words, which often does not do well to persuade listeners. Though there are two sides to the argument of whether speaking for others is right, “I would stress that the practice of speaking for others is often born of a desire for mastery, to privilege oneself as the one who more correctly understands the truth about another’s situation or as one who can champion a just cause and thus achieve glory and praise,” as Kozloff states. On the other hand, “Sometimes, as Loyce Stewart has argued, we do need a “messenger” to advocate for our needs.” Kozloff’s article makes sense for the most part, but some parts, as mentioned, and people referenced do not help her case due to the fact that I have no idea who they are.

Thus far, this article intertextualizes with our work on “service.” The video on Dark Days really connects as it had the actual people speak for themselves in addition to others. Speaking for oneself is sometimes necessary to get the message out right. By giving our service to others, we must represent where we are coming for in a upright manner, which is the UW. This is a service-learning class, which goes deeper than just giving help to people we view as “in need,” according to Illich and Cruz’s articles. Sometimes what we think of as a service may not be a service. It may somehow be harmful or disrespectful to the person, even if we think it is something beneficial. Some issues it may raise at the Boys and Girls club is how we treat and speak about these children. We are there for service-learning, but they are there to be fostered and educated. We need to be respectful and not always think that we are servicing them.

Kozloff’s article is useful to me because it shows how speaking for others is often harmful or disrespectful for them. If we cannot say it right and in the manner they would like to portray, then it is probably something which we should not speak about. Many people can be offended if something apparently small is written or spoken. Though it may not seem harmful to us, it can be devastating to them. Consequently, it is critical that people watch what they say and comprehend that some things can be harmful even when it is not intended. At the Boys and Girls Club, we must watch what we say because these children look up to us. We need to provide a good example to these kids, which is why we are there. Speaking for others often leaves unintended feelings towards some part of the audience. Thus, it is crucial that when speaking for others, including during service-learning, we watch what we say.