"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.