To Protect and Serve

While reading Richardson's work, she speaks about the value of the african american mother and how she influences the younger generations. She should encourage the younger generations and tell them that they should be proud about their history and heritage. Instead, Richardson talks about the many names and the countless searches she has conducted internet-wide and the search matches that include pornography sites and names that are synonymous with Black Woman such as Mammies and Jezebels.
After reading it, I wished I had read this article earlier and use it in my argumentative paper for this English class. My paper was about the values of elders concerning african american teen pregnancy in this current generation.
I feel as though this problem needs to be solved, There are plenty of accomplished beautiful black women in the world that can advocate against the stereotype of the Black Woman. There is no reason at all as to why pornography sites and lude things pop up when searching "Black Women". When searching this topic pictures of doctors lawyers and CEO's should pop up just as to what would happen if white woman was searched.
This double standard is definitely playing with this generations mind and teaching them the wrong thing.

-CJR

To Protect and To Serve

Elaine Richardson’s To Protect and To Serve is a very provocative reading. When it targets some of the Black stereotypical labels I am offended, saddened, and upset by the Black women who actually embody these roles. Richardson speaks about how Black women are known as Mammies (usually the nanny and caretaker for white children), Jezebels, wenches (promiscuous women), and hyper-sexed beings. She even talks about how when she used a Yahoo search engine to search terms like “Black Women” and “young Black girls” the majority of the results were pornographic websites. This stood out to me because of the argumentative research paper that I have just recently completed. In my paper I discussed how Black women are viewed as sexual objects and highly degraded in media. To make it worst there are some Black women who do not care about the negative stereotypes associated with us as a group, and continue to portray themselves in a less than respectable way.
As the reading progresses I also appreciate the way that Richardson speaks about mothers. She shows how a mother is very important to the growth of her children. Regardless to how the world may see her, she is still of upmost importance to her children. Even though she may not be well educated, coming from a Black community, and somewhat unable to provide her children a formal education, she has a lot to contribute to their development and must help to shape them so that they may gain knowledge and know right from wrong. This can help to raise a generation that always does the right thing and help to change the negative perception of Black women. Even though some people object to this relationship because of the language of the traditional “mother tongue”, I believe that it is very important. A child must know their history as a minority and know all about their parent’s past struggles. They should be able to relate to the parent just as they should relate to the school teacher. Richardson’s writing helped me to consider the growth and progress of Black women.


Vernee Pelage

"To Protect and Serve": African American Female Literacies

After reading Elaine Richardson’s article “To Protect and Serve”: African American Female Literacies, the main quote that stood out to me was, “As the Black female is her child’s first teacher, mother tongue literacy must be factored in as a crucial element of theory and practice” (Richardson 700). Richardson describes the mothers tongue literacy as the ‘mothers transmit their language into their children’ and more importantly it makes us what we are. Growing up my mother was my first teacher. Her interactions with others showed me how to communicate with people on a daily basis. She taught me life lessons and instilled values in me that I hope to pass down to my own child. Even from the womb my mother has protected and cared for me. Without this first encounter of maternal literacy, children will often search for themselves through outside sources and often pick up bad habits on the way. This lack of a motherly influence and guidance will hinder the growth and development of African American daughter.

A mother’s tongue also stresses the importance of education. The article mentions Holtzclaw, an African American male who states how his mother played an influential role in his education. He states, “His mother used to protect his schooling, as she hoped schooling would guarantee him a life better than cotton picking”. When the landlord wanted him to quit school, his mother would not let that happen. Everyday she would sneak him off to school, to ensure that he continued his education. Black mothers are protective of their kin. Since they want to best for their children they will protect them at any means necessary. They will not let any danger stand in the way of their dream. Lastly, this maternal tongue teaches children that adversities will make one stronger. Living in a society where black women are viewed as sex objects and are devalued and disrespected, maternal literacies give one the strength to excel.

Transformative College Literacy of Literate Black Women Peer Counselors

A common perspective of learning is gaining knowledge through material that is taught by others through lessons. From an educational perspective, students learn through class material but limit their learning only by gaining an understanding of the material just for a class. In college, this type of perspective is prevalent. Many students take classes, gain knowledge from the class and are not liberated by this knowledge. They gain understanding just to pass the class and move on to higher classes. Their understanding is limited and so is their knowledge because it is not applicable to themselves and their overall learning. In this chapter, Robin Wisniewski gives a personal account of her own journey through her learning experiences in college. Wisniewski describes her journey as a transformative one because she experienced transformative learning. This learning is defined as gaining knowledge, gaining understanding through different strategies then gaining liberation in thoughts. Liberation in thought subsequently gives one a better sense of the knowledge learned by learning about oneself at the same time. Peer Counselors are conveyed as open-minded students who are willing to help their peers in ways educationally and mentally. These ways mostly include transformative learning. They guide their peers in learning more about their identities, their pasts, and orienting toward their futures through gaining knowledge. These peer counselors give a familial interaction by making their peers feel positive about their learning through support and encouragement. They give them a sense of belonging and encourage them to learn a lot about themselves. There are two individuals who were peer counselors named Lauryn and Vania mentioned in this chapter. These two students were empowered by the construction of knowledge and transformative learning. Their beliefs about literacy were changed from seeing literacy as learning content to a belief that literacy is the integration of this content and strategies. For example, Lauryn described her thoughts on literacy as not only helping her peers to master the subjects within the university but use different strategies within the subjects. This use of strategies further gives the student his/her own individuality. Wisniewski’s expressions and liberating thoughts on transformative learning led to her beliefs of development of personal identities within a peer counselor relationship through literacy. This liberation of thoughts also leads to the idea of using literacy and knowledge to have a better sense of oneself and one’s purpose

Star Parker - My Life as a Welfare Brat

After reading a portion of Star Parker’s book, A Star is Born, I am left with a “bad taste in my mouth”. I feel that Parker is dangerously hypocritical and isn’t aware of how offensive she is. She attacks two welfare recipients, Linda and Dellamarie on the Oprah show because they felt that as single mothers they were entitled to welfare benefits. Though I also disagree with their entitlement I also disagree with Parker’s attack on them. They are young women who must learn life lessons through their very own mistakes just as Parker did. Parker was previously a welfare recipient who admitted to abusing the system in ways such as selling her Medi-Cal stickers. Though she does not deny her past she tends to act as if she is now somehow above the Welfare system. I believe that the welfare system played a major role in shaping Parker into the person that she is today, yet rather than allow other women to learn from their mistakes, and come of age on their own, she’d rather impose her hypocritical beliefs upon them. As a person with experience she should have approached the women in a more understanding manner, rather than being judgmental about their situations.
I also disagree with the portion of the chapter My Life as a Welfare Brat in which Parker speaks about fathers. She says that fathers abandon their children because they are aware that the welfare system will pick up the slack. She states that welfare gives fathers the incentive to walk away from their families because they know that welfare is there as a cushion. I believe that if a father is careless enough to abandon their children they are not concerned with welfare or any other system that will take care of their family. If a man were concerned with how his family would survive he would not even consider walking out on them. It is wrong to blame the welfare system for the carelessness on the part of the many men whom do not understand what fatherhood is.

Mothers Away from Home

‘Beauboeuf-Lafontant (2002) reported the Black teachers view “mothering as a communal responsibility” (p. 76) and an act of service.’ – Sunny-Marie Birney

In her passage Voices of Our Foremothers: Celebrating the Legacy of African American Women Educators Sunny-Marie Birney credits her African American teachers and professors for bonding with her and providing her with the care that allowed her to find her identity as a young Black woman. Because she was adopted by a White family, Birney felt as if she were missing a part of her essence as an African American. This part of her article stood out to me because of my past experience with teachers whom I have built strong bonds with. However I do not believe that it is only Black teachers who have the ability to provide their students with a motherly bond because I have experienced otherwise.
Growing up I had a slight issue with authority. When being disciplined by teachers I was known for replying with the response “I don’t have to listen to you, you’re not my mother!” I would say this to Black and White teachers alike, never feeling any ties in either situation. Even as I grew older and grasped the fact that respect is not only to be given to parents but to anyone who you wish to receive it from, I still had very distant relationships with my teachers. It was not until I got into the 11th grade that I formed a special relationship with a teacher. I was able to talk to her about any and every thing and she eventually became my “mother away from home”, setting the same standards for me as her own children. The only difference between Birney’s relationship with her teachers and my relationship with mine was that my teacher was Italian. This is why I believe that these relationships can be formed where ever one happens to be looking. Birney happened to be looking for a connection to her culture and found it with her Black teachers, while I happened to be seeking guidance as a young woman in general and found it in a wise woman with perspective.

Voices of Our Foremothers: Celebrating the Legacy of African-American Women Educators

After reading the article, Voices of Our Foremothers: Celebrating the Legacy of African-American Women Educators, I began to reflect on my years in grade school. Similar to Birney, I too have had many influential black educators within my educational career. These black teachers cared about my success both in school and through out life. Black teachers serve as extended family that watch over you in school while your parents are at work. Birney states in her article, “Black teachers view ‘mothering as a communal responsibility’ and an act of service. Thus, the student -teacher relationship became imperative to the growth of a black student.
Through out grade school, I can recall three teachers that had a total impact on my life. My fifth grade math teacher, Mrs. Joyner, seventh grade, science teacher, Ms Maddrey, and high school counselor, Dr. Howard, all contributed to my growth as a student and overall woman. In the classroom they challenged my to do my best. They saw potential inside of me that I was unaware of. Mrs. Joyner helped me to develop my love for math and problem solving. Both Ms Maddrey and Dr. Howard served as mentors that I could go to for help. Their door was always open and I knew they had my best interest at heart.
As I look back on my childhood, I am truly grateful that I have these influential people in my life. Academically, they shaped me and prepared me for college. It’s because of Dr. Howard’s recommendation that I even chose to attend Spelman College. Though my community service and mentorship with young boys and girls, I hope to touch some child’s life in the same way my mentors did for me. By tutoring with Cool Girls, Inc and at B.E.S.T Academy, I am able to help meet student’s need in the classroom. When Birney mentions, “pass this torch of community service”, I feel that it is now my responsibility to be a blessing in some else’s life. My mentors have passed the torch on to me. Now through tutoring it is my turn to help children achieve academic excellence.

“Lessons from Down Under: Reflections on Meaning of Literacy and Knowledge from an African-American Female Growing Up in Rural Alabama”

This chapter of “Readers of the Quilt” describes the kind of literacy that the black population in the South were forced to develop in order to make it through racist territory. It conveys the several types of literacy in rural Alabama after the civil rights movement. During these times the most pivotal roles of the leaders and churches in this rural state was to help African Americans have the ability to interpret and understand the rules in their white communities. The power of spoken word instead of written literature was portrayed by both the church and by leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. These skills gave rise to many movements and increased levels of literacy because of the empowerment that it had on African American’s desire for change. Also following the prominent Civil Rights Act, the Affirmative Action Legislation allowed for more African Americans were able to gain higher social statuses and levels of literacy because of the establishment of the job opportunities given to minorities.
A woman from rural Alabama gives a personal account of her life and how literacy impacted her life in its entirety. Growing up in the church and learning morality issues for a constituted moral life, helped her literacy. She learned how to recite, read and understand by use of the Bible through hymnals and scriptural readings. She describes how her family stressed education and specifically how her mother stressed literacy in terms of emotional and intellectual development. This type of literacy is referred to as formal literacy in this chapter of the book. It was acquired through learning through educational modes and activities. She goes on to convey her experiences in her schooling and how Black student were not allowed to entry of many white schools. In Black schools, the education was lacking, lessons and textbooks were very poor. This rendered the Blacks students and authors’ voices stories. Furthermore, stories written by Black authors and African American literature were nonexistent in education at this time.
This personal account gives in great detail the impacts of how the love of learning shown throughout a household and community provides the gain of literacy in such a rural area. Many African Americans do not come across this type of experience in rural states. As a native of Mississippi, I have witnessed the impacts of students and their whole outlooks in terms of their education. Consequently, the desire and confidence deriving from this type of experience is significant. Every African American should continue or make efforts to be this quest for formal literacy.

Black and on Welfare

Sandra Golden the author of Black and on Welfare: What you Don’t Know About Single-Parent Women, states, “Black females carry the assumed burden of being uneducated, or undereducated, unskilled and unmotivated because they receive public assistance” (Golden 28). Society automatically steorotypes black women as being unqualified and abusing the system without looking at the larger picture. Black females are often displayed with having little goals and being trapped in poverty. However, all black females do not abuse the welfare system. Society needs to look pass this notion and meet families where they are. It is the government’s responsibility to create programs and resources that will benefit black mothers in the long run. The ultimate goal is to provide mothers with a stable job to solely support their family. Welfare is an outlet to improve the quality of life. Therefore, the welfare system has to transform its programs and acknowledge the multi- literacies of black women. Thus not only addressing educational literacy but social, functional, and maternal literacies.
In order to improve the welfare system, Golden suggest, that individuals take a comprehensive assessment prior to placement is programs. This includes academic test, barriers to employment inventories, learning disabilities instruments and vocation, career, and interest inventories. Since welfare should be temporary and not a lifestyle, there should be skilled programs in place that will prepare mothers for long-term employment. For example, there should be classes tailored to interviewing skills, dress code, resume building, vocation, finances and home owning, and expanding talents. These programs would allow caseworkers to assess each personal situation. The more successful an individual becomes in the program, the less money they will receive. This system will enable families to wane off of welfare and progress in society. By establishing this system, it will be hard for one to abuse welfare because if there is no improvement there will be consequences.

Unearthing Hidden Literacy

After reading Unearthing Hidden Literacy: Seven Lessons I Learned in a Cotton Field written by Lillie Gayle Smith, I’ve come to the conclusion that the statement ‘there is a blessing in every obstacle’ is not only prevalent through out the article but through out life. For example, Smith mentions her experiences laboring in the cotton fields. She states, “A strong work ethic was one of the lessons that I pulled from my experiences working in the field. Rising early, being on time, doing a commendable job, accepting a challenge, completing a task, and working with others”. Overall, working in the fields, under the hot sun allowed Smith to develop in character and to learn responsibility. Through out history we as black women have been tested and exploited. As a result, we are able to overcome these obstacles. These challenges help us become functionally literate, as we are able to adjust to our surroundings. The writer also mentions how working taught her the value of a dollar. Black women are thrifty with a dollar. We have learned how to stretch a dollar a long way. Thus, having the ability to bargain and buy necessities to support her family.
The article also addressed a need for education within the Black community. If we as Blacks want to improve our statue, then we would need to be educated. Blacks viewed education as a gift and not a right. Therefore, we were motivated to do well in school. This text reminds me of how my family would support me through education. Whether it is through report cards, money/treats for good grades, flash cards for test prep, or even attending parent-teacher night. Their actions ensured that my education would continue well after grade school. As educated blacks, it becomes our duty to give back to our community. We have to teach others the value of education. Our ancestors have fought for us to attend school and we should not take it for granted.

Black Women and Literacy in Feature Films

The reading “Black Women and Literacy in Feature Films” by Joanne Kilgour Dowdy is a passage about Black leading actresses and the roles that they portray in different feature films. Dowdy examined several movies and noticed somewhat of a trend. The actresses in the movies portrayed Black women who were facing different social and economic issues. Some of these issues were caused by the Black woman having a low literacy level. While in others, the women were shown to have high literacy levels yet it seems that they can do nothing to change their situation.

In the film “Losing Isaiah” Halle Berry played a drug addict who left her new born child in a dumpster in an alleyway. Eventually she cleaned herself up and wanted to take responsibility for her actions and reclaim her child. Her literacy level becomes a major road block for her. Because she was illiterate, it was hard not only for her to prove to everyone that stood between her and reclaiming her son that she was capable of caring for him but it was also hard for her to connect with Isaiah and his foster family and gain their trust. In the movie “Music from the Heart”, Angela Basset plays an educated Black woman, working as a principal who is struggling to help the children in her school by integrating programs into the curriculum that will broaden their horizons i.e. a classical music program. Regardless to being not only literate, but also intelligent, Basset’s character cannot reach her goal. Just as her hopelessness begins to settle in a white female helps her achieve her goal, making her the heroine of the movie.

Overall this reading is discouraging. Many readings that we have read this semester have tried to encourage young Black Women to take power into their own hands and become educated. Though I do not believe Kilgour intended to write it this way, this particular reading has an underlying tone of hopelessness to me. It almost seems as if no matter what one does and no matter how strong of an education they obtain, as a Black women were meant to struggle. Thoughts like these are detrimental to the growth of educated Black females in the world today.

"She was Workin like Foreal"

The article “She was workin like Foreal” conveys in literal terms African American women in the hip hop culture dramatically working their images in society and the mass media imposing negative stereotypes on Black women as a whole. There is an interview in between the lines of the article between an individual representing for the “brothas” and other individuals opposing his representation. The interview critically illustrates how African American womens’ sexual stereotypes in mass media heavily affect our experiences and images in the world. The depicted images are strippers and video dancers in hip hop videos. This intensity of sexual imagery allow for men to degrade them by treating them like mere objects. Also the hip hop culture has an impact on the literacy and knowledge-making of these women in videos. This culture has defined these ideologies.
In the interview the individual B.E. representing for the “brothas” defends the jargon of how a woman’s actions in these videos are not degrading if it is their choice. In reality their performance not only degrades them but imposes a negative image on all Black women. Also these actions reflect the times of slavery. Women were treated like inhumane objects. They were used solely for reproduction in most cases. White men sexually abused them which gave them power over their minds and bodies. In today’s society this is still the case because of the inferiority that Black women and women in general feel. However, in the hip hop culture, women try to shift this power by redefining traditional sexual and gender performances. They believe that they have authority when they are stripping or dancing in these videos. This idea is an obvious disgrace to all African American women. Consequently, it portrays a Black woman’s image to be defined as unattractive, incompetent, and insignificant in terms of society. From a child’s perspective, there is the infamous “doll test” to see how a child views race. One would present the child with a white doll and a black doll. When asked which doll is prettier, frequently the child responds pointing to the white doll.
When exploring natural beliefs about Black women and our race as a whole, many do not usually correlate our race to having societal knowledge. We hold a negative depiction. In order to avoid these depictions and natural beliefs, we must redefine how many perceive our race in society. This will allow a direct result of positive images and stereoptypes on Black women. The title “She was Workin like Foreal” can be redefined in terms of Black women working hard in society to improve the way society portrays them and overall having societal change.

Going Against the Grain

I truly enjoyed reading Going Against the Grain: The acquisition and Use of Literacy. One thing that stuck out to me was the efflorescence of African American women for education. The writer states, “African American women have understood with great clarity two things: the power of language and learning and the inherent hostility of the context within which people of African descent must live in the United States.” Black women have valued education and are making efforts to become literate. With the determination to break barriers that white society has set up for them, African Americans have created three types of schools in which one and can receive an education. Through Sabbath school, Missionary school, and the public school movement the efforts to reach literacy development can be achieved.
However, post the civil war era, many African American parents were not fond of the public school systems. The article stated, “They did not want to subject their children to abuse of white southerners or to a southern-designed system of ‘Black’ education, which they knew to be inferior.” Thus creating private schooling and historically Black colleges and universities strictly for African American students. Within these Black universities, students can learn about their history and gain an education that is tailored to their needs. Throughout ones career at an HBCU, students are encouraged to voice their opinion and challenge history and fact making.
As I read this section of the article, I reflected to my senior of High school and the application process. One of my main reasons for choosing to attend Spelman College was because it was a Historically Black, liberal arts institution created just for women. Spelman offers core classes, that explore American as well as, black history within the African Diaspora. If I had attended a State school, the curriculum would barely cover any form of black involvement in American History. I am grateful for civil leaders and activist, like Mary Stewart and Charlotte Forten, who made it possible for me to attend school today and have the same rights and privileges as my white counterparts.

Going Against the Grain: The Acquisition and Use of Literacy

When reading “Going Against the Grain: The Acquisition and Use of Literacy” many different thoughts came to mind. Overall the reading seems to be about African Americans, the oppression that they have faced over the years, and their attempts at changing their inferior position in society. The essay goes into depth about how African Americans have been oppressed and mistreated from the time of slavery up until the present. The motif of this reading seems to be literacy. Literacy seems to constantly resurface as the only way many slaves were able to better themselves. Literacy was also a form of resistance for many slaves. By becoming literate they were resisting being dehumanized and being transformed into mere property, which was precisely what the slave masters wanted. Unlike many readings about slavery, this reading shows how Blacks were proactive in changing their circumstances.
What stood out the most in this reading to me were the different perspectives on slavery held by Whites. Often when the institution of slavery is presented to students there are many generalizations made. Students sometimes leave the classroom setting believing that all White people held the same hatred towards Black people and wanted to keep them bound by the chains of slavery forever. There are several different point-of-views that should be taught so that the student may come to their own conclusion about slavery and the people involved. There were Whites who believed in individual rights, but did not consider Blacks equal to Whites; therefore those rights were not inherent to them. Then there were also those who believed that slavery was wrong but made absolutely no efforts to inspire change, even if they had the power to do so. There were also people who believed that African Americans may not have been equal to White people, only because they had never been given the chance to show their true potential due to the oppressive chains they had always been bound by. In essence, what I am saying is just as it was not correct for African Americans to be generalized and treated according to this generalization, it is not correct to generalize Whites when it comes to their role in slavery.

Going Against the Grain

African Americans have fought long and hard for a good education. In the past, slavery imposed negative images on how womanhood was defined. African American women specifically were seen as inventory for reproduction and were treated as genderless insignificant chattels. Their womanhood was defined as capital workers. They were doubly oppressed because of their gender and race. However, women remained strong. They were said to have been beaten down in the past but not broken. They sought literacy as their key mechanism to change the way society viewed them. The only way to obtain this literacy was through activism, advocacy, and action.
The quest that African American women set out on was mainly for literacy and learning. Through this literacy they could redefine their sense of womanhood and present themselves through their writing. This literacy was like a tool that allowed them the ability to reimagine their worlds and better themselves. Through their stories of visionaries of women, they used sociocognitive ability. They wrote and taught others what they learned. Activism led women to take on roles throughout their African American communities. They were mothers, teachers, social activists and problem solvers. Their spirits were set on activism and the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Women like Clara Howard sought for the opening doors of opportunity. She helped in the creation of schools of our own which were African American public colleges and universities. After the 19th century there was an ever present grand momentum for literacy.
Spelman College is a perfect testament to the fact that Black women can stand together as one strong body who express their passions, ideas, and excellence through literacy. If it wasn’t for slavery in the past and the long fight for education that our African ancestors endured, this strong body would not be present. They paved the way for future generations who long to be literate and tell individual stories of the different African American visionaries. In this chapter, “Going against the Grain” there is an important factor that states “African American women have built a tradition of literacy and action and have established themselves as uses of the word, as “dark spinners of word magic”. This entails that all Black literate women have come a long way on this call for human rights and literacy. This action has led to the establishment of historically Black colleges such as Spelman and continues to provide standards of excellence in every aspect of literacy. In this case, women went against the grain to gain a higher level of literacy.

The Door To Success

After reading the article, To Be Black, Female, and Literate: A Personal Journey in Education and Alienation by Leonie C. R. Smith, I realized that everyone’s life journey are not the same. Though our paths may be different, we may have a different family structure, or have cultural differences, we can still relate to each other on some level. Through out this article, I was able to connect with the writer in two main areas. First, her value of education and second when she asks the question, “What it means to be black in America?”
Education is said to be the door of success and opportunity. Through education one can obtain a well-paying job, and relieve financial hardship. In the article, Smith states, “My mother also passed on the importance of education as a vehicle to becoming independent and self- sufficient.” The importance of education was stressed in my household, as well. My grandmother was the oldest of 13 and she spent her days working and nurturing her children. Though my grandmother did not attend college, she knew the importance of education and she put all her six children through college. With this instilled background of education my mother wants me to work hard and also, receive an education, obtain my masters and PhD, as well as travel the world. My mother’s main dream is for me to experience all that she was not able to.
Later in the reading Smith decides to continue her education in America and later enrolls in a predominately white institution. It was in this new environment where Smith started to ask the question: What does it mean to be Black in America? While her school focused on the basic science and math, there was no class that tailored to her blackness and African Diaspora. I am proud to attend a school that is tailored to my needs as a Black woman. I know that there is a place here for me were I am not judged based on the color of my skin but, valued based on my character. Attending Spelman College, has giving me the opportunity to continue my education with students who look like me and have similar experiences as I do. This might be the one time in my life where I am surrounded positive, Black females and I am thankful for this opportunity.

Black Women/Black Literature

The most striking thing about Black Women/Black Literature, the interview of Christina McVay, conducted by Joannne Kilgour Dowdy, was that Christina McVay is a WHITE woman with such a passion for the BLACK Culture. She respects it as a very powerful and important culture and studies many of its components. She especially admires the literature and the language that stems from the Black culture. She says that she has read a lot of Black literature by authors such as Toni Morrison, and James Baldwin and that her master’s in Comparative Literature gives her the authority to say that these works are just as good as any of the German or Russian classics that people may refer to. As far as the language that derives from the Black culture, McVay says that this is something to be celebrated. Just as any other language it has rules in its use and can and should be used at the right times and places, despite any negative connotations about it.
Some Black people find it necessary to distance themselves from their own culture in order to “fit in”, and advance in life. They feel that their culture is not accepted on a mainstream scale and they must escape it in order to become successful in life. They are taught that the way of life that they know and live is not the “right” way. McVay is a great leader because she introduces the opposite theory to her students. She teaches them that their culture and the art it produces, such as literature, are to be celebrated rather than suppressed. She makes them think by reaching out to them on their level rather than trying to approach them in an intimidating, overbearing manner. She teaches them the positive things that come of Black culture rather than focus on the negatives. She has an open mind, not only as a White woman studying the Black culture, but as a professor who also learns from her students. McVay knows that there are things that her students can introduce to the classroom because of their own backgrounds and experiences that she may be unfamiliar with because she isn’t a product of the Black culture. Overall Christina McVay is an inspiring woman who teaches a powerful lesson by doing something that she loves.

Literacy and the Black Woman

Literacy and the Black Woman by Sharon M. Darling

Black women have been being oppressed for hundreds of years. They were never afforded some of the rights given to black men or white women. This leads to the notion that Black woman are faced with a double bias, race and sex, which "justifies" why black women are at the mercy of white political system. Luckily, black women learned early on that one of the major factors causing a division between them and their oppressors was literacy. As black women tried to max their education they still did not achieve the same level as their white counterparts, which contributes to the cycle of poverty and illiteracy. Secretly they were determined to learn to read, write, and educate their children.
Immediately after the emancipation of the enslaved people Black women believed they would get the education they had always sought. Before their dream could manifest, many laws were passed banning their education. After some social pressure Black woman were allowed to get an education but it was not a very good one. The educations they were allowed to receive served more as a regulation rather than something to uplift them. They were taught in a manner that would never allow them to become economically, or educationally equal to White women. 25% of the world is illiterate, 60% of these people are females, 44% of these females being Black.
Sharon Darling’s essay Literacy and the Black Woman speaks about this sensitive topic. As young Black women, we can appreciate many of the possible perspectives on this subject. It is understandable that it has always been hard for Black women to thrive in a society such as the one we live in, and that it may be difficult to prosper. The essay entails a general idea that Black women have a sense of hopelessness and despair, almost as if the task of becoming a literate Black female is an impossible feat. It uses some of life’s obstacles as a crutch disabling Black women from being strong empowered figures. When examining a Historically Black all female institution such as Spelman College one can see how far from the truth that really is. Our school is filled with young women with a powerful thirst for knowledge, pushing themselves to succeed against all odds. In this article the answer to this problem of Black women and their poor literacy is establishing more programs that will help them. It explains in order to really help them we must build a literacy gap which means to meet them where they are and to provide resources not only educationally but socially as well.