The Education of an Motherless Child

     Sunny- Marie Birney  was adopted as an infant by a Caucasian couple. Though she was thoroughly cared and provided for Birney felt a sense of longing for the African American identity that her adopted parents could not give her. Through personal relationships with strong Black women who took on the responsibility to enrich not only her mind but persona as an African American woman, Birney was able to find her place in the world.

     Birney emphasizes the importance of two literacies:educational liberation and identification. The author discusses the necessity of knowing that knowledge is the key to freedom. Birney also makes it clear, no matter how much information you review or the grades you receive, none of the educational teachings make a difference unless you realize your place in the world. When you understand your identity you are able to relate and create personal connections to abstract concepts. With out knowing how you perceive yourself, it's difficult to give your opinion the world. Birney was not provided with an African American setting to discover  her history and roots but yet created one from influential role models through out her life. The author created her own identity in the world to give her critique of the world.

Unearthing Hidden Literacy (Lillie Gayle Smith)

Unearthing Hidden Literacy by Lillie Gaye Smith was about Smith realizing that her past is what helped her become the literate woman she is today. Coming from a retched past of picking cotton, she rarely wanted to talk about it. Smith thought of her picking cotton as embarrassing especially since it was closely associated with slavery so she decided to keep that part of her past a secret. She only used her past of picking cotton as for a story of how she grew tremendously, however, once she enrolled in a "Black Woman's Literacy" class she began to notice how her past of picking cotton helped her literacy build and grow into something powerful.Smith concluded her passage with saying that all the experiences that you have will serve as a stepping block to your life as well as your literacy.


I totally agree with Smith in many ways. I do understand how it feels to run from you past and not want to relive it again but the circumstances that was presented to you will always benefit you in the future. Just as telling a story, we all learn from past experiences, whether it is ours or someone else's, these past experiences teaches us in extraordinary ways. It enhances us as we grow into a new form and a new life and it plants roots in us so that we never forget where we came from. As black women, we all have some experience, bad or good, that we know of. These things builds up our literacy because we are able to recall them and manipulate them in many ways. I know my past helped my literacy blossom beautifully and with out my dilemmas, I am not sure of where I might be physically and with literacy. I know that the past is the past and does not want to be revisited again but as the great Maya Angelou says, "History, despite it's wrenching pain, cannot be unlived...But if faced with COURAGE, need not be LIVED again!"

Lessons From Down Under: Reflections on Meanings of Literacy and Knowledge From an African-American Female Growing Up in Rural Alabama By Bessie House-Soremekun

     Lessons From Down Under written by Bessie House-Soremekun is a first hand account of the growing up in the South in the midst of civil right turmoil. House-Soremekun's reflections on the limitations that slaves were given through out the course of slavery which lead to storytelling, protesting and other unconventional forms of literacies being utilized in order to obtain education and humanity. Lack of formal education for African Americans during slavery lead to  historical happenings, customs and common knowledge being transmitted through oral renditions instead of written text. Not only did these literacies keep culture alive within the Black community, the information that was  given could never be taken away or limited by the restrictions of White society.

     The entire focus of our class has been centered on the various forms of African American literacies. House-Soremekun introduces a literacy that I never took into consideration until reading her reflection. Boycotting and protesting are fashions of displaying the understanding of the law and the rights one is indebted because of their citizenship. For example the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955-56 marked African-American's understanding of their economical power and ability to influence society through protest. Saying no, reflects the immense intelligence of the Black community and it's leader in knowing how to change injustice in a black and white world. Protesting and boycotting are clear forms of literacy that African Americans used as mode of transportation for equality despite the social barriers of existing in a White constructed world.

My Life As A Welfare Brat (Star Parker)

Star Parker’s My Life as a Welfare Brat, is the author's rendition of welfare. Once being on welfare herself, she had perfected the art of welfare plagiarism and comprehends how it affects Black women.  She understands how being apart the system can  “turn you out” and how the system thrives on keeping Black women at the bottom. Parker’s experience with the system was no different than the next woman’s. She used and abused the system herself to make fast money in order for her to “live” but she soon found out that living on a system that cares nothing about you is horrific and degrading. Parker pulled herself out of the welfare system and became an advocate for women who have become accustom with being on welfare. She concludes with warning women, that relying on welfare is no help at all. In order to help yourself, you must move on and out of the welfare system.

I agree with Parker's judgment. Welfare is only for temporary usage. It is just to assist you in your hardships so that you won’t fail completely. Black women shouldn’t use welfare as a crutch, only as a “pusher”. I use the term “pusher” because being on welfare, something that’s already demeaning, should “push” you to do better. Black women that rely on welfare will never rise to the top. They will only stay where society automatically places them, at the bottom.

“Black and on Welfare: What You Don’t Know About Single-Parent Women” by Sandra Golden

            

Welfare Stereotype

            “Black and on Welfare: What You Don’t Know About Single-Parent Women” by Sandra Golden exposes the truths behind the treatment of women on welfare. As a former welfare recipient herself Golden separates the truth from the myth in her research essay. After being confronted with a series of undesirable circumstances, Golden is forced to visit the County Department of Human Services. She continues to describe her experiences of being dehumanized and humiliated. The author’s history with the welfare system drove her to compile focus groups of women who have been processed through the system.

            Each woman who applied for assistance was deemed as irresponsible, unintelligent, lazy and shiftless and then given a standardized number to wait for a standardized solution. The social workers and system never consider the outlying factors. Though recipients may not be efficient literate in the traditional sense, they have adapted to their surroundings and become advanced in that field of literacy. Golden advocates for the numbered mothers, that all illiteracies should be recognized and each client should be given personal and unique assessments. In order to promote growth each case needs to be tailored to each client. It the welfare system treated each person based upon their history and skills rather than a number the client would feel empowered to break the system than embrace it. 

Dysfunctional Literacies of Exclusion (Mandi Chikombero)

In Dysfunctional Literacies of Exclusion,  Mandi Chikombero analyzes the novel "Nervous Conditions" by Tsitsi Dangarembga. This books talks about the hardships that black women endured throughout  slavery. The hardships included; harsh working conditions, baring multiple children by multiple men, and other demeaning situations. "Nervous Conditions" also talks about literacy and how each character was affected by it. Chikombero discusses  different literacies and concludes by stating that being black, female and literate comes with consequences. Whether the price is good or bad, take the risk.

Mandi Chikombero couldn't have said it better. The challenges that my ancestors went through to create their spot in this world makes me want to take the risk of literacy acquisition in every possible way. This reading inspired me to realize that my everyday actions should honor my ancestors. I now know that without them and their sacrifice, I would not be able to attend Spelman College or anywhere else. It was encouragement and strength that brought my ancestors through all of the tough times. I will always have them in  mind when I accomplish something, I receive an award, or when I move from one aspect of my life to another. I honor previous generations before me in all that I do and all that I have become. I would not be able to call myself BLACK, FEMALE and most importantly, LITERATE.

Going Against The Grain

     Going Against the Grain is a brief history of Black American literacy, beginning with slavery and gradually working towards the present. The author began the essay with a quote from Maria W. Stewart the first African American woman essayist. The quotes calls the "... daughters of Africa, awake! Awake! Arise! No longer sleep nor slumber,but distinguish yourselves." Stewart challenges Black women to create their futures and to never rely on the achievements of the past. 

    Stewart's call to action relates to Spelman's motto and my motivational theme. Spelman continuously pushes it's students to "Be the change we wish to see in the world." So we can cease working because Spelmanites before us have succeeded and  we must make our own success. This quote  makes me think of the Spike Lee film School Daze. Lee confronts the many issues and lifestyles of attending an Historically Black College or University. The film concludes with Laurence Fishburne proclaiming through out the campus for every to "wake up". After reading Stewart's piece I believe Spike Lee was alluding to Stewart's demands for African American women and men to take what is given and create new paths for future generations. Ultimately Maria W. Stewart and Spike Lee want the present and future generations of the African American people to never forget their history and never take for granted the future.  

Women and Literacy in Alice Walker's The Color Purple

     E. Yvette Walter's dissects Celie, the main character, in the film The Color Purple. Based on the novel by Alice Walker, the story begins with Celie writing letters to God desperately seeking help and salvation from her current life. Celie and her sister Nettie live with their father who continually harasses and sexually molest her. Trapped by her father's dictatorship and lack of opportunity Celie is thrown into a loveless marriage to a man only known a Mr. ___while Nettie is given the chance to go to school. Mr.____ is a cruel man who uses Celie for domestic chores and also physically and emotionally abuses her. The Color Purple documents Celie's journey of self-discovery and strength.

     Celie in the beginning of the film doesn't value herself because her self esteem is depended upon the opinions of others. Through out her existence Celie has been told she's ugly, dumb and other demeaning adjectives and in return she's internalized those thoughts. Alice Walker strategically places strong woman in Celie's path in order for her to recognize the beauty and genius within herself. Though Celie has no formal education through the help of Nettie's knowledge, composing letters and the occasionally reading Celie obtains proper literacy. Each woman in the drama represents a different type of literacy that Celie must teach herself. Nettie obviously represent formal education and a family literacy. Sofia standing for a strong, black woman who's worth isn't determined by a man or any other authority. And Shug Avery who epitomizes true love for loves and self. With the help of these defining women, "Celie has fallen in love with herself and can laugh about the past" (p. 143). Through Alice Walker's prose Celie is recognize the charisma she possesses that is defined by herself image and not another person's opinion.

Reel Women: Black Women and Literacy in Feature Films (Joanne Kilgour Dowdy)

     In Reel Women: Black Women and Literacy in Feature Films. Kilgour Dowdy talks about film production and how black women are displayed. She uses specific movies such as "Losing Isaiah", "The Color Purple" and "Clara's Heart" to emphasize the "standard" roles of the black actress. Kilgour Dowdy's main purpose was to show how in these films, the black woman rarely shows her intelligence. She portrays the helpless victim of drugs, abuse, being powerless and always falling short of the white actors/actresses. With Kilgour Dowdy's research, she concludes that the portrayal of black women in film should be more inspirational and directed more towards literacy.
     I totally agree with Kilgour Dowdy in many ways. How black women are presented in film is demeaning. Not demeaning in a sexual way but demeaning in character. There should be more films where you see a black woman reading, changing laws, CEO of businesses etc. Even looking at films now, nothing has changed. There are still stereotypical films of black women. In class we discussed, the film "Precious" and it's powerful message.  Even with a positive ending black women in the film were portrayed as  fat,helpless,abusive,terrorizing and homosexual. I can't speak for the actresses out there today but if I was an actress, I would  do more films that are positive, showing me as an amazing asset to my community and America. I say, let's empower the black women by creating movies that shows a black woman doing great things. These roles help others to see black women in a different and brighter light.

Transformative College Literacy of Literate Black Women Peer Counselors By Robin Wisniewski

         Robin Wisniewski was charged with designing and successfully launching a peer counseling program for students with disabilities, low-income backgrounds and first generation students at her University. Wisniewski assumed that the counselors would use traditional methods like note taking techniques, study habits and other basic skills to develop their academic proficiency. Wisniewski was transformed by the thinking of her peers and their way of teaching and learning. 

        The essay revolves around Lauryn and Vania two young African American women in the program. Both women agreed that one of the ways the counseling was affective not only to their mentees but themselves was the family environment that was constructed. Lauryn and Vania genuinely cared for their students, so it became more than tutoring in biology or English but a friendship and a safe environment to try as well as succeed. Lauryn and Vania viewed the program ".. as a family-type environment and compared it to other contexts where they felt comfortable and individual" (p. 78). Within this safe environment tutors also became the pupils, each student using their strengths and weakness to create one group that could conquer anything together. Another unique and compelling component of the peer counseling family structure is the ability to be one whole family yet still have an individual identity. No student was defined by their major or GPA yet their personalities and how they fit into the program. By promoting individuality it serves as a defense against racism and stereotypes. The students learn to acknowledge and embrace  differences in oneself, also being accepted by a family setting makes daily challenges and discrimination more bearable. The author discovers the Gesalt  principle of learning and teaching, that "... the knowledge of a the group was greater than the separate parts, I was working on my skill to assist peer counselors in the discovery of their interests, awareness of their practice, and to facilitate their personal and social liberation" (p. 82). Wisniewski was forced to redefine her rigid structure of learning;the teacher finally became the pupil.

Going Against the Grain

Going Against the Grain was an article that talked about African Americans countless attempts to have a true place in this world. This article was also about African American women and their struggle to be in the world as well as to prove themselves literate. This article went through many sections such as an appeal to character, some history and things to happen in the future.
I was very amazed and influenced by this article. To read about all the fascinating things that black women have done to acquire literacy is astonishing. I was most inspired by Maria Stewart. Her except called to fight for all rights according to women no matter how big, small or far-fetched it was. Stewart, being a pioneer of black women essayist, fought for her rights. She went through many trials and tribulations but her circumstances only fuled her fire to continue. For example, Stewart lost her husband and was denied to recieve the funds that he left behind. An average woman would have gave up and lost hope because of just losing their husband alone but Stewart kept going and worked harder.
With her words and experiences, I now know what I have to do to maintain my position in this world. No matter how many punches are thrown at me, no matter how many look downs or hurtful things that are said to me, I still need to move up and move on. There were many women who fought for my right to have a place so I have to do right to keep my place. I have to go against all odds. I have to go against all fallacies and most importantly, I have to GO AGAINST THE GRAIN.

Literacy and the Black Woman (Sharon Darling)

         Sharon Darling's segment on Literacy and the Black Woman talks about Black women and their struggle to become literate. Darling touch base on specific history of a Black woman's literacy while also looking into the future. In her  conclusive  writings, she states, "Although it seems she has lost the war of achieving literacy to uplift herself and her race, she continues the battle everyday" (Darling 24). Darling was implementing that a Black woman deserves the right to be and can be literate, however, with the constant struggles of having a spot in this world and harsh stereotypes, a Black woman fights constantly to prove to others that she can achieve literacy and become a positive example to her race.

        Being a black woman, I can truly understand Darling's approach to "Literacy and the Black Woman" and I completely understand the struggle. Even with going to a prestigious HBCU, receiving a top notch scholarship and being one of 10% in my class, I am still looked as an "illiterate" black woman to outside people. They look at my skin and immediately see the incapability’s that I have. They stereotype me before I even open my mouth and because of this outlook, I have to work harder to prove that I am something better than what they "think". It is hard and very sad to have to work harder than the next race to prove how smart, or how literate I am. Some women, especially white women, do not go through the things that I go through, or feel the things that I feel and still get ahead way faster than I do. And because of their fast progression, it sometimes lead me to want to give up. However, because I am strong, I refuse to give up. I just work harder. I believe that if there are more black women out there who don't give up and just work harder then "we" as a whole can stomp on the thought that black women are illiterate and incapable. It will take some time but let's just think of it as fine wine. The older it gets, the better it is.

Black Women/ Black Literature By Joanne Kilgour Dowdy

     Black Women/Black Literature consist of an interview between Joanne Kilgour Dowdy and Christina McVay a professor in the Pan-African studies department at Kent State University. McVay is your average instructor besides the fact that she's a White woman. Interview dives into McVay's passion for Black literature and culture, and the most obvious questions "Why teach Pan-African studies?". McVay goes on to explain her father's love of words and literary, also her friendship with a Black girl that exposed her to the art of Black composition. She read abundant power black literature like The Autobiography of Malcolm X and Eldridge Cleaver provided by her friend's older siblings. Through this friendship McVay is given the opportunity to see beyond her white lifestyle into a dimension of Black idealism.

   Christina McVay's passion for not only Black literature but Black literacy reminds me of the film "Freedom Writers". A movie based of a White teacher thrown into one of the roughest schools in California. With her love of education and students she combines their lifestyle with the traditions of the English to introduce them to literature. McVay uses creative ways to introduce her students to the basics of traditional English. McVay's teaching philosophy is built upon the belief that "... Black English is a legitimate language." (94) McVay's goal is to educate her students not assimilate their thinking into a standard process. Christina McVay teachings has her pupils embracing the English language and their culture at once. 

     

"To Protect and Serve": African American Female Literacies By Elaine Richardson

     "To Protect and Serve": African American Female Literacies by Elaine Richardson is an compelling piece about the relationship between literacy and being an African American woman. This essay brought to light the many stereotypes and disheartening truths of the societal images of black women. Richardson proclaims " Young Black females often struggle to invent themselves against the distorted images of "money hungry heartless bitch," "Jezebel" and good ole "Mammy" among others, many which were created during slavery."(676) Black women seem to be fighting some kind of stereotype created by society determined to limit a whole community by a few characteristics. 

     I didn't believe that I would to relate with this article as much as I did. Richardson  portrayed the dilemma of living as modern day black woman. Society has given  structures for us to fill and when we confront those we are not taken seriously or given a chance. Being both black and female poses a threat to the rest of the world. Black women are an example of intersectionality which means fitting into  multiple social characteristics, thus increases the discrimination and challenges that are presented. Not only are we as African American woman subject to racism because of our heritage but we also have overcome the idea that women are inferior to men of any color. This essay revealed to me the power of being a black women but also the trials that come with it. Richardson's claims were shocking but also a motivation to defy the stereotype and the limitations given to black women because of race and gender.

Storytelling (Wanda J. Franklin & Joanne Kilgour Dowdy)

        Some would view storytelling as a process with a beginning, middle and concludes with a moral or message towards life. From the small to big, stories contribute  details to our everyday endeavors. In each day, we have a story! Something happens, something new, something to tell. We all are storytellers.

        In Storytelling, Joanne Kilgour Dowdy emphasizes different purposes of storytelling. Dowdy focuses on subjects such as culture, spirituality and history to show the various ways that stories could be told, but still have the same message or meaning behind them. Wanda J. Franklin confirmed Dowdy's views on storytelling by sharing her own tales from her childhood. For example, Franklin tells a story about the myth of  "Tongue Brought Me Here". She heard the fable from both her father and her pastor. Each having the same message of 'think before you speak' but being told a different way. Dowdy also goes to show that stories are just not meant to be told for entertainment but also to be applied to your everyday life. Franklin gives another example of a lesson taught through storytelling. Franklin's mother as a young girl was told not to go into the cornfields when the stalks were moving.One day her mother decided to see why the cornstalks were moving and no wind was blowing. She soon realized that there were men hiding in the cornstalks ready to sexually attack those who decided to investigate. She ran home and explain to her mother what happened. Her mother replied, " Never go into the cornfields when the cornstalks are moving" (125). This shows that stories can be used as tools for teaching lessons.

        Storytelling  is applied to our everyday lives. Just talking to a friend about the day's occurrences  is a form of storytelling. Storytelling is  a cornerstone in African American heritage. It attributes to our history and culture as people.Sharing anecdotes is a way to express. It is vibrant, meaningful and fun. Storytelling will forever be prominent in communities and because everyday somebody has something to tell, storytelling will never cease to exist.

To Be Black, Female and Literate: A Personal Journey in Education and Alienation(Leonie C. R. Smith)

     To Be Black, Female and Literate: A Personal Journey in Education and Alienation by Leonie C. R. Smith was a detailed narrative about the author's experience with being literate. She complied a few stories that dated back to her childhood in Antigua, showing her parent's illiteracy and her up bringing.Smith's essay displays her struggles with learning literacy in the United States, by experiencing  the social and cultural constructs of America's intelligence and facing racial and gender discrimination.

     Smith's recollection of her literacy in America was brutal. She dealt with things such as racism and sexism. She soon learned that the educational system in America wasn't as free willing as the educational system in Antigua. There was a structure in America that determined your smart "ranking". Something more difficult and standardized. With all these circumstances, Smith felt out of place but it did not stop her from receiving her education and pursing her dreams.

     Smith's story spoke wonders to me. I could not believe what she went through in order to obtain an education. Her motivation and drive kept her going and  inspired me. If only there  more women like this. Women who don't stop because of situations that were meant to break them down. Women who don't stop because of their past. Women who are motivated, dedicated and determined. Her story shows that no matter  the circumstance or situation, you have to stick in there. You have to do what is best for you to get where you need to be in your life. She knew despite her mother's passing, her father leaving  and her being Black, Female and Literate in America that  her education was necessary to live happily and rightfully as she pleased. Smith's story is something to live by because if she could go through it and still succeed, I can as well.