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.