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.