Forms of Literacy and Traditional Influences

When reading Dysfunctional Literacies of Exclusion, it had broken down the different types of literacy a person can obtain. One of the most old and ways of teaching is traditional literacy, this being through storytelling, myths and folks. This included historical accounts relatives pass down generations as a type of record keeping and teaching. Chikombero uses an example out of the narrative, Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga. In this reading the character Tambu experiences hardships and the sacrifices that need to be made in order to obtain a higher education. Tamboo sees being a woman as a burden because there are more tribulations because it is biological that we have the responsibility of carrying children. She resides in Africa and in an area where women are looked to specifically for bearing children and that alone. Cultures and traditions influence the extent of education a woman receives. Another type of education that was covered in the article is colonial/modern literacy. This is similar to traditional literacy in the sense that they both are based on traditions. Colonialism brought the missions to build schools with a Christian foundation which influences and individual because they are taught what favors the government and the religion. Gender has played a large role in many women’s lives because they are oppressed in some countries and limited to just being the mother of the house. This causes a large percentage of women being illiterate because in some countries they are not even provided the same education as a man. In the reading Nervous Conditions, Tamboo’s mother had such a limited education that she can’t even form an opinion on things that we discuss on the regular bases in class and out. Chikombero states that the level of importance of literacy cannot be over exaggerated because the level of education influences how we go about life and handle certain situations. A limited education and gender bearings continue to affect the level of education a woman receives today.

Single, Black, and a Mother: From her perspective.

“Welfare is a means to an improved quality of life, not the means to living a barely fulfilling existence.” Sandra Golden wrote an intriguing article about her journey as a single, black parent navigating the government’s system of welfare and the studies she conducted concerning other women in similar situations.  Golden states that when a woman, especially a black woman, goes to apply for government assistance they are given a horrible description of the characteristics they hold. In the eyes of “the man” they are uneducated, unmotivated, and unskilled. Unfortunately, this is the way they are treated when arriving to their offices instead of taking in consideration that these women have to had common sense or social literacy in order for the survival of themselves and their children to become apparent. Golden conducted a study on 12 women that received government assistance and found information about their educational experiences, work experience, and volunteer experience. She found that although many women had a deficient number of work and educational experience they were social beings of the community and had completed volunteer experience. These women are placed in jobs that do not promote growth and Golden debates that this is wrong because you are keeping women on the system.I had a serious connection to Golden’s excerpt, Black and on Welfare: What You Don’t Know About Single-Parent Women, because being a black woman myself I am surrounded by people who are either going through or went through this situation with the government. 



Precious, a young black
woman suspected to live her life
on welfare.

 In my opinion, the government cannot be judgmental in regards to these women because they do not know they whole story and therefore do not have the right to judge. Society has this bad perception as if black women who are single parents are jut good for nothing people. The reality of the situation is many have not asked to be in this position, but are forced to live and deal with it everyday.

Women & Literacy, The Color Purple.

In the excerpt, Women and Literacy in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, E. Yvette Walters goes into depth about a character that displayed many struggles that black women of that era went through and are still struggling past today. Black women as you know have been silenced since the beginning of time by their husbands or males around them as well as in white society. Being oppressed by two groups of people put a standstill on our literacy. They did not want us to be literate because we could rise above them. Therefore black women had to find other ways to liberate themselves from these people. Black women kept their stories alive through the art of storytelling. We had developed an expertise in this area and they were eventually allowed to publish stories. These stories have a central theme that was based on the development of the black woman. “In telling these stories, barriers, shackles, and obstacles typify an ever present element in the Black woman’s struggle for acceptances, power, respect, love, and self.”(137) Walters explains in detail the different types of feminism. Liberal feminism, the rights of individual woman who are trying to transform what it means to be a man or woman. Radical feminism, they say that the differences in our anatomy provide for a woman’s oppression. Pro-structural feminism, language patterns produce notions of gender. Social feminism, believe race, gender, and social status are all results of a patriarchal, capitalist society. She ends with black feminism, which is defining the African American woman’s struggle with race, social class, and gender. The Color Purple’s, Celie uses ways to rise to above her oppression and become the strong black woman we associate ourselves with today. Although, Celie was a silent woman at firsts she knew she had to speak up, not just for herself, but also for the rest of the women.

The Limited Leading Role for Black Women

Black women have been viewed to hold the same role in life in society. This is displayed through television and mass media. In Reel Black Women: Black Women and Literacy in Feature Films shares with the audience that the number one role for the black actresses is as the “mammy.” A mammy is displayed as a black women with a dark complexion who is the caretaker of normally a white family. It has been discussed in my other classes the way women have been portrayed in the same light throughout the decades but we have been psychologically adapted to being familiar and content with this role. The “mammy” role has also been shown in a bad light because it is displayed that caring for and helping others is a weakness. Another role that black women play commonly is the “jezebels” which is viewed as a more beautiful black woman with a lighter skin complexion. When producing films and sitcoms, writers take into consideration the literacy level of the characters. What was mentioned in the reading is how black women have taken on a large ratio of roles where the educational is minimal or not mentioned because the role of the woman in the film is as the housewife. Numerous successful movies that had a black woman with a leading role are mentioned to support this. In the movie, The Color Purple, the “mammy's” and “jezebel's” role is present in the literature and film. Whoopi played the uneducated “mammy” who was the housekeeper that learned how to read from her more beautiful and lighter skinned sister. I was most shocked to think that it is possible that the shows and movie that I enjoy are the same ones that oppress the black woman from being more that what is shown on films. I have never analyzed any of the films until now. I have realized that white actresses play the majority of the roles that involve a broader education and a job that is outside of the house. I would like to see more of a dramatic change in the way black women are viewed as. This is not only limited to the televesion screen but also art and through mass media products.  So many people have psychologically adapted to this role black women play in films, and it is time for the role to change. 

Taking the other path

        I am an African American the one who society looks down upon. I am a woman another classification that society looks down upon. I am an African American woman and I shall let my greatness shine bright among this world with negative views towards me. For hundred of years the black woman has been little to nothing in the eyes of others and it is time the belittling comes to an end. I refuse to believe all of the great African American women that came before me were worthless. These women were great leaders, teachers, and caregivers and their significance should not be an understatement. In the excerpt, Going Against the Grain, it is shown how black women have been battling for hundreds of years to get of rid societies stereotypes of them.  It displays the character of a strong black woman precisely and magnifies our go-getter attitude. One character in this book stood out to me and exhibits these traits, Charlotte Forten. 

She came from a different background than those people of Port Royal, but she looked past it and was able to give them the knowledge they needed.  She showed the black women nurturing instinct by taking those people under her wing. Another piece of this story that stood out to me was the literary part of the story. Of course, being a student at Spelman College, literacy has been a gateway to my success. I believe that efficiency in those areas is how blacks progressed through slavery. My opinion is supported throughout this piece. If the African American did not have the drive to improve themselves through this particular method, we would   not be in the positions of power we are in today. Knowledge is power and if the black man, let alone the black woman has this power in their hands we are simply unstoppable.

Transformative College Literacy of Literature Black Women Peer Counselors

There are certain things in life that inspire people to do better.  Whether it is helping old people or cleaning up the community, it is always good to help others.  In “Transformative College Literacy of Literature Black Women Peer Counselors,” it talks about people giving back to the college community.  One person, in 1997, provided literacy support for college students.  They wanted to focus on college students who had low-income backgrounds, or was the first to go to college out of their family.  After hiring four other people to help with the program, the students were helped with their academic work as well as personal issues.  This type of program is a good way to give back to the community.

 The story shows different types of people giving back to the college community.  Although they all have one thing in common, I still feel like they are doing a good job.  When there are people who give back to the community in order to benefit it, they keep society together.  Especially with college students being known for their wild behavior, having a peer counselor to keep college students on track.  This program not only helps benefit the community, but also the future.

Going against the Grain: Power of the Black Women

Since the dawn of time, women have always been looked down upon.  During the time of slavery, women were not allowed to do anything or have anything.  African American women had it worse during these times because they were black and women,  a double negative to society.  They were beaten, degraded, and sexually harassed.  Although they went through these struggles, they still made it on top.  In a passage written by Maria W. Stewart in 1831, she suggests that “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 decent must live in the United States.”  In simpler terms, she says African American women play major leadership roles no matter how society looks at them.

            In “Going against the Grain” it tells how African American women were mothers, teachers, social activists, storytellers, etc.  They made the culture and kept the African traditions running.  This is inspirational information because it shows how strong African American women are.  We have been through many struggles.  People tried to break and bring us down, but we always manage to overcome them.  As a young black woman, it inspires me to never give up, no matter what the situation is.  If my ancestors made it through the fight, then I can do the same.

The Role of Black Women in America

  The United States was intended to be the newly founded land with the foundation of individual rights and humane rights. The country’s very own leaders were hypocritical when setting a double standard for European descendants and African descendants. African Americans were fighting for the equal rights of those of European descent. Black women struggles and efforts to become literate was a strong focus in the reading, Going Against the Grain. “Each movement towards literacy was signal that these women were going very much against the grain of prevailing cultural beliefs, practices, and expectations.” Slaveholders were aware that if slaves became literate they would gain power. Laws were made to prevent African Americans from gaining an education, so they fought for their rights to obtain one. “African Americans understood the implications of literacy and learning in political, economic, and social progress.” They were aware of the rights that they deserved and fought to be literate. Education can make a difference not only to the individual, but the whole community. The North and South was became divided due to the different views on the rights of Negroes.  While the North was majority against slavery, the South was for it. Even in the present it is evident that many southerners are stuck in the ways of their ancestors. Although late, there has been major progress in the educational system. When African Americans began to receive an education, it was biased. The teachings were different from a white student. The lessons were made for specific trades the whites wanted African Americans.  Currently the history of Africans and African Americans could broaden more and in society the position could be higher. This article opens a persons mind to see how society is constructed today. With more efforts of the population, it is time to suppress oppression.