Celebrating The Legacy

Birney was motherless at the age of two years of age. She felt as id she was out of place, and without a value. She was mentally abused. It was not until she went to college that she recieved a cultural, and spiritual awakening. This opened up her point of view to have a passion for education, her mind, body, spirt, past and present, and future. Attending college, and having the most influential professors, she also recieved a cultural uplifting that she stillo celebrates despite all the negativity and downsizement we recieved as African American women. Overall, I had a connection, because it was not until I came to Spelman until I found my purpose. Spelman gave me a cultural, economical, and networking awakening. Spelman College gave me the opportunity to become more open with people of my background. Even though we all come from different angles of the world, we each serve a different purpose. Economically, Spelman influenced me that education is very important, and even though I am not financially stable, that SCHOLARSHIPS are very important. Networking became a big thing to me because this is a very big campus. In the long run, you never know who you might run into, and might need a favor.

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

This chapter by Bessie House-Soremekun was split into four different sections, Historical and Political Context, Knowledge and Knowing, Formal and Informal Literacy, and Explicating the Race Rules. The Historical and Political Context section begins mentioning the Montgomery Bus Boycotts and how it was the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. “Through written and oral modes of communication,” African Americans were able to make fundamental changes that occurred under the umbrella of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, resulting in Affirmative Action, which evened the playing field in American society.

In the section, Knowledge and Knowing, House-Soremekun talks about growing up in a small southern town in Alabama. She grew up with part of her literacy being religious. She learned to read and understand the Bible, and also learned to understand issues regarding morality. Education was an important aspect because her mother, grandmother, uncle, and father had gone to college. The three latter were all teachers.

The section, Formal and Informal Literacy, explains that obviously, formal literacy was important to her family even though it was “problematic” for African Americans during the time of segregation and outright racism. Lack of written texts by and about African Americans left the race with low self-esteem. However, informal literacy was a strong part of the African American community. Her Grandma Bessie passed down stories and information from her life and her family’s history. This oral tradition was a form of literacy that many African American people inherited.

The section, Explicating the Race Rules, explains how Jim Crow laws institutionalized “separate but equal.” These laws kept Blacks and Whites separate in schools, restrooms, restaurants, buses, etc. House-Soremekun reflects on how she resented how her grandmother was treated by whites; and how it upset her that they refused to address her in a respectable manner by calling her Mrs. Fannings. She explains that this is how whites were able to elevate themselves. She also resented being racially categorized instead of being looked at as a person who was a credit to the human race. She also mentions that in many ways literacy took the backseat to a person’s race and did not help their chances of becoming an equal. By reaching her goals and being a literate woman who teaches and writes published works, Bessie House-Soremekun has been able to positively impact the lives of many.

~Alaina Walton

Hidden Literacies In ACotton Field

Throughout the chapter, the author, Lillie Gayle Smith, talks about her memories working in the cotton fields as a minor even though it was not in the 18th and 19th century. She valued lessons from cotton picking during her childhood. Her lessons in the cotton field taught her how to "unearth" her true understanding of life, and how it is a privelage to stand where we are today. I feel like the over all message she gives in the chapter explains that there are literacies that can be taught better outside of the classroom. However, I related two of my past life stories in the chapter. There was a quote in the chapter that stated, "Marganilized and stigmated through the triple realities of race, class and gender." Even though we are not working in the cotton field, us, as African American women, are still being dehumanized in our communities, society, and even in public places. I can relate a personal life story to this quote to prove that it still goes on even in the 21st century. My senior year, as I was working in a clothes store in the mall, a mid - age black woman asked if she could used the restroom. I politely told her that our store does not provide restrooms for customers and there nearest one was in the food court. As I saw her circle the store, I could see that she was trying to find another sales associate, or maybe even a manager. When she found another sales associate, near me, she explained how she really needed to go to the restroom. As I looked down at her legs, I could see that she was menstrating, and then I glanced at her stomach. I begin to think if she was having a miscarrage because she was pregnant. As I went to get the store manager, I begin to explain to her what was going on, and how an abulance needed to be called. Without no hassle, she ran to the back, and grabbed brown paper napkins, and asked the lady may she politely wipe up the blood from the floor. What if it was another race? My second connection with the author is how her mother taught her how to value a dollar bill. Without spendong money unwisely, my mother always taught me that everytime somebody gave me some money, I should not want to just spend it so fast, and rather budget my money. I should be able to put some away for savings, and an emergency stash. She also taught me that any size amount that I did recieve, I HAD to put 10% in church. She explained and broke it down to me that in order to recievce you have to give.
-Sa'Myra Bradford

Reel Women: Black Women and Literacy in Feature Films

-Joanne Kilgour Dowdy

In this reading Dowdy talks about how she uses films to teach her students about literacy and Black women. The women portrayed in these films possessed different forms of literacy, such as being a nurse, caretaker, stay at home mother and a teacher. Not all of these women were literate and they all faced problems that came directly from their lack of “book sense.” However, the majority of the time, the woman’s greatest trouble came from their race and being Black. Without book sense combined with other forms of literacy, it is difficult to survive and thrive as a Black woman.

“Passion Fruit”, “The Color Purple”, and “Music from the Heart” are three films that I would like to focus on for this blog. Each woman faces different issues and has different levels of literacy. In “Passion Fruit”, the Black nurse, played by Alfre Woodard, was an addict in recovery that left her child to take care of a crippled white woman. Her literacy was not “book sense” but common sense. She was able to form a relationship with her mistress where there is a mutual respect; “a republic”.

In “The Color Purple”, Celie – played by Whoppi Goldberg – learns to read and write and is able to make enough money to live independently. She “makes a way out of no way,” but we realize that there are other factors or realities in this woman’s life that are not easily cured with “book sense.”

“Music from the Heart” with Angela Bassett and Meryl Streep, shows a Black woman with an education and power as the principal of a school. However, we come across the fact that an education only goes so far in a “Eurocentric society.” “Literacy, in the Black woman’s hands, is trumped by the wider political pressures” (Dowdy, 173). This means an education does not always merit power.

Dowdy uses film to teach her students about Black women and literacy. With these films students are able to see how Black women are viewed throughout Hollywood. Many of the issues brought to light in these films are realities of Black women in America. On the other hand, this is not our only reality. Dowdy is trying to teach her students to “analyze the stereotypes propagated by mainstreamed scriptwriters.” We have to write about the positive experiences of Black women to undo “the damage that negative film images have contributed to our society.”

~ Alaina Walton

'She was workin’ like foreal’: Critical literacy and discourse practices of African American females in the age of hip hop

In Elaine Richardson’s ‘She was workin’ like foreal’: Critical literacy and discourse practices of African American females in the age of hip hop”, she discusses the manner in which black females are portrayed and depicted in hip hop music videos. The work also includes an interview with another black female, which shares her opinion of the issue. Richardson highlights both the negative and the positive connotations of the black women’s role in music videos. On the one hand, many view these women as seductive and slutty, individuals that are objectified and sexually exploited for male gratification. However, one of the interviewees argued that in some aspects, because the women are capable of doing what they want and deciding if they want to be portrayed in that light, it gives them a sense of sexual domination and authority. In essence, society looks at these women in either one of two ways, as described in Richardson’s article. Black women in hip hop play the roles of either the sexual objectified, loose female, one who is looked down upon with eyes of pity and shame and called a hoe, a slut, or everything but a child of God; or she plays the role of the hypersexual, dominant figure, who’s power comes from sex and is often more admired than the women who is simply called loose. However, Richardson’s interviews bring up the question of who is responsible for these women’s portrayal in the media.

It is not the responsibility of a man to tell a woman not to portray herself as a promiscuous individual. However, it is also not right for that woman or any other woman to be exploited for her sensuality. In essence, Richardson works to ask whether or not the women in videos like Nelly’s Tip Drill and the like are responsible for the manner in which they are portrayed, ABSOLUTELY. However, that does not mean it is acceptable for a male artist, or any other artist, to portray them in that way, especially for monetary progression. I feel that both parties are equally responsible. Granted, these women do not have to choose to be in these videos, nor do the “brothas” that claim they love “their women”, black women; have to choose to exploit them. Black women have been sexually exploited since before our ancestors were enslaved and this exploitation seems to haunt us like a nightmare from which we cannot seem to awake.

As women of Spelman College, we have made a choice to save the world. What better place to begin to change than right here, with ourselves. We cannot simply change the way black women are stigmatized, exploited or objectified from the confines of our classrooms. Though it is very important to dialogue and share thoughts, we must work outside of these walls and act on our thoughts. If we see our sisters or fellow African American women being portrayed in a manner that is unacceptable, it matters not who’s at fault or to blame for this portrayal. What’s important is what we are to do to change and impact this problem. It’s not simply the fault of the women. But the media and producers are to blame as well. EVERYONE is responsible and should be held accountable, even ourselves for not intervening. However, regardless of who’s responsible for creating this problem, it’s our choice o fix it. And as women of integrity, action, servitude and pride, we should start by choosing to save our world.

Taylor Hawkins

Lights Camera Action

....And the winner is? The strong black women of the movie screen. When discussing the triumphs of women, it is quite easy to overlook the accomplishments made while in the movie theater. We laugh, conversate about, and enjoy viewing many films but how often do we realize the lead actress is a black woman? Names like Halle Berry and Goldberg were mentioned in the reading, The Reel Women, and little descriptions of some of the best movies, such as Losing Isaiah, remind me of how powerful black women are. As I enjoyed this text, i thought about the many movies that I had viewed and how black women had a lot to add. For instance, this weekend I enjoyed the movie Valentine's Day, and one of the characters was none other than Queen Latifah, an actress who has had her own sitcom and appeared in countless movies. It reminds me of the fact that once women were not even allowed anywhere near the set of a movie. Instead, males played their part, and as for a black character? They were not allowed nowhere near stage, unless they were workers of course. To combine both very oppressed races, and put them behind a camera screen is a dangerous bet, but has only produced remarkable outcomes. The picture of the Emmy posted is to signify excellence, for the best movies and actors/actresses receive this award. I very much enjoyed this text because I really never thought about the type of influence black actresses had on the TV screen.

In the essay “Going Against the Grain,” author Jacqueline Jones Royster sets a strong tone of empowerment to provoke the uplifting of African American women. Focusing on the opening lines of her essay, she quotes author Maria Stewart by saying “Oh yea daughters of Africa, awake! Awake! Arise! No longer sleep nor slumber but distinguish yourselves…Knowledge would begin to flow, and the chains of slavery and ignorance would begin to melt like wax before the flames.” This quote was meant to speak to and encourage not only the young women of the past, but the young women of the present and future as well. Our foremothers so diligently worked to ensure that we would understand the importance of becoming intelligent literate young women to break free of the chains of oppression. However they also knew that simply being able to read and write was not enough. We as black women had to be literate in many other forms of literacy in addition to the obvious to even measure up to the white community. That is why we as a black community set up schools specifically for our youth so that they would not be mislead by their biased white master instructors and African American history would not be neglected. Having institutions especially for African Americans (HBCU’s) sparked inspiration, motivation and a desire for education. As a young black woman, I aspire to continue this legacy of intelligent black women that so many powerful and intellectual black women and ancestors have set forth for me. I understand the importance of opening my eyes and why we as black women have to go against the grain and “distinguish ourselves “As an active and aware member of society and I believe that as a student at Spelman College I am on that path of excellence.
-Saba Tesfamariam

Going Against the Grain

From The Acquisition and Use of Literacy


The author, Royer begins this chapter, entitled "Going Against the Grain", discussing the aquisition of literacy by African American women. She informs the reader about the first black woman to write essays, Maria W. Stewart. This to me is fascinating because I began to think about the fact that it’s almost 200 years after she wrote the passage in this section and there have been so many black women who have become amazing writers since then. This section goes on to discuss how Black women took the initiative to passionately acquire literacy and become well educated and well read. Those women saw the significance of literacy. For them, literacy was an essential weapon in their fight for independence. Amongst the oppression women of color faced and continue to face in the Americas, including racism, sexism, and classism, the acquisition of literacy was essential in overturning the power structure. How? Because it was a method of resistance. Think about it. Ignorance is the greatest weapon to oppress a people. Allowing them to remain blind and oblivious. However, this group of women knew that the best way to combat this weapon of oppression was to educate themselves. Literacy and its use were an act of resistance that Black women used effectively to combat sexism and racism. This reminds me of the chapter of Gomez's "Reversing Sail" that we read in ADW. The chapter was entitled "Asserting the Right to Be". This chapter directly relates to this section of "Going Against the Grain" because it discusses how Blacks grew to define themselves in society, rather than let the white man define them. Black women, essentially used literacy to assert themselves as a people. I feel that as young black women, we owe those women so much. For without them we would not be the young, educated, Spelman women we are now. It was through their accomplishments that major changes were created and laws were passed allowing Black women to be considered for citizenship. It was through their efforts and the acquisition of literacy that we may be students at illustrious institutions like Spelman College, founded with the sole purpose of educating and empowering black women. Because they were passionate enough to use their intellectual strength to change their conditions, we should honor them by upholding their mission and continuing their legacies.
Taylor Hawkins

Against The Grain Of Literacy

"O, ye daughters of Africa... show forth to the world that ye are endowed with noble and exalted faculties...the youth who has a written a thirst for knowledge...mind soars above trifles..Knowledge would begin to flow, and the chain of slavery and ignorance would melt like wax before the flames." - Maria Stewart. To me, this quote alone has a mental input on my mind set. When you compare our ancestors literacy, to out modern literacy, in today's century, we have a large advantage. Our race has been judged and killed because of our class, race, and gender. Our ancestors, both men and women, were killed or tortured if we were caught how to read or write. They fought a long way until we reached for rights. Our past ancestors acquired their literacy through "activism, advocacy, and action." Literacy has brought us woman's rights, movements, and labor. Today, there our some minorities that do not even take education as an advantage. As in the 21st century, I know women who have taken literacy to another level. Literacy has become a tool to become inspiration and motivation to others. My great grandmother was not fully educational literate. Just because she could only read on a third grade level, does not mean she was not wise. I used her literacy experiecnce, and life stories as my motivation to graduate from high and go to college. The quote alone inspired me because it put forth a desire to show equity, wisdom, strength, empowerment and justice. It ties a connection from slavery years to the 21st century.

Going Against the Grain

From Literacy Opportunities After 1800

This section in Going Against the Grain explains how Black women have always taken advantage of different opportunities to learn. During times of slavery, some Black women ran schools out of their homes, some used sewing class as a cover to teach, while some observed whites and eavesdropped at the schools of the white children. Many of these women were in the environment to learn, whether it was on purpose or not. In many cases, White masters did not know what was going on with their slaves, because Blacks moved around unnoticed by whites while literacy activities went on. Slave owners even believed that having literate slaves was an advantage because they were able to better conduct business and gave them a religious structure. Though Black women were not formally taught how to read and write they “picked it up informally.”

This section also explains that free blacks had barrier to literacy, just as slaves, but some opportunities were available. These opportunities came, for the most part, from the commitment of Black women to this educational cause. The text states, “African American women began founding schools as early as 1793.” During 1793, and for many years after, it was against the law to educate a Black person. People could be thrown in jail, beaten, and even killed for teaching Blacks to read and write. Women like, Ann Marie Becroft, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Myrtilla Miner were all educated and established their own schools. Ann Marie Becroft got her education in Washington D.C. at Potter School and later attended the New Georgetown School; which was closed after Demark Vesey’s revolt. Mary McLeod Bethune established the Daytona Educational and Industrial School for Negro Girls in Florida. This school is now a well known and respected HBCU, Bethune-Cookman University. Myrtilla Miner established the Normal School for Colored Girls in 1851 in Washington D.C. Although she was ridiculed and her school was set on fire she continued on. It is today Miner Teachers College at University of the District of Columbia.

The achievements of women like Miner, Bethune, and Becroft have given our generation so many opportunities to become literate and make ourselves successful.


~Alaina Walton (Writers of the Quilt)

The educational narrative of Leonie C.R. Smith displays the story of a young Antiguan girl and the social and academic barriers she overcomes throughout her lifetime. Both her mother and her father taught her about the importance of education and she did exceptionally well in the Antiguan School system as a student in “A classes.” After losing her mother at a young age and also dealing with the devastation of a Fire, Smith moved to New York to live with her older sister. Immediately the school system in New York as well as her peers rejected her learning style and physical appearance. Smith’s intelligence was underestimated being that she was not only a foreigner but a young black female. She was ignorantly placed into classes of lower academic standing just as many African American Students are in America today because of the notion that the African American community as a whole is not expected to succeed. However remarkably, these typical setbacks did not interfere with Smith’s motivation to excel academically and left her temporarily unmarred and ready to succeed. Yet soon after graduating high school and now a college freshman at Hamilton College, she was not accepted in the predominately white community. She suffered emotionally and began to realize that “the path to acquiring an education and advanced academic literacy is fraught with difficulty, and opening the door to success comes with a price (smith).”
Despite the fact that receiving the proper education can be difficult when you are of African descent, it is important to have the strength and will power to overcome the obstacles laid before you. My parents worked to instill that mindset in me just as Smith’s even if I was the only or one of three black kids in my honors classes and I too “felt compelled to represent black people or make sure we were not being misrepresented,” by taking advantage of every opportunity that came my way. The African American community and African American women specifically have to come to the realization that literacy is the key to success and regardless of what others do we have to stick with our goals in order for them to be accomplished and allow no one to get in the way of our success.

-Saba Tesfamariam

Woman To Woman

While in a remarkable interview, Christina Mc’Vay gives her inputs and thoughts about black women and literature. Mc’Vays expresses her opinions and thoughts about working with the African descent in the Pan – African department. She preferred working with the African American minority rather than her own ethnic race because she felt no connection when she taught black literature. She described it as talking about an “alien universe.”McVay talked about how languages in the black community could be so creative. She believes that our language, which we call “slang” comes from slavery as well the as the Jim Crow laws and the oral tradition. However, the current generation uses to shorten words or phrases. Some instances she make to help black women feel comfortable with their literature, is they have to make them feel a connection with their inner man, and heritage, beauty, and historical background and tradition. I made to connections with McVay. She first started off with a song by John Lennon, that her students believed were the Temptations, that stated, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” McVay had a conversation at a bar with the coordinator of Communications Skills. She ended up working in the Pam African English Department. I felt a connection with her circumstance. I look at it as, when you have something else on your agenda, and it’s not what God has set for you, then you can’t go against his will. While in high school, I had my mind set for attending Clark Atlanta University. I only applied for two schools which were Spelman College and Clark Atlanta. Being accepted into Spelman and not Clark left me confused. However, attending Spelman has open up many doors for me. I have turned my life around, and has become more verbally, and religiously literate. Another connection I saw in the interview was that Joanne gave back to her students. As they were sowing knowledge into her, she was also giving them knowledge, opportunity, and wisdom. While growing up, my great-grandmother raised me. The things she showed in me, still rubs off as a young women. Now, I am able to give wise advice, wisdom, and skills to anyone who I see struggling in those areas.

Literacy and the Black Woman by Sharon M. Darling is an interesting piece about Black women and their struggles with literacy. This chapter is split into different sections starting with the historical perspective. From the beginning, Black women in this country have never gotten the same opportunities as white women. Black women were not allowed to learn to read and write at one point. When they were allowed it was often looked down on because these women had other responsibilities, such as marriage and taking care of the household. Black women were burdened with so many things and were able to overcome. I believe that we can push forward and overcome our problems with literacy as well.

Schools that were designed for Black women were often below par for the simple reason that education and literacy were not their main goals. These schools wanted to “engrain feelings of inferiority” into Black women. The women that attended these schools and later went to college are a small percentage of Black women. Our black women are plagued with issues like teen pregnancy. At a young age these women must take on these responsibilities and do not bother with education.

The Need to Make Black Women Literate is a very important section of this chapter. Black women need to be literate for several reasons. Possibly, the most important reason is to end the cycle of illiterate black women. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves so that we can educate our children. This will expose them to positive experiences that will ameliorate their situation. Sharon M. Darling writes, “Achieving literacy as a vehicle for social change is not an easy task.” In order to have social change we must push each other to educate ourselves and work together.

~ Writers of the Quilt
Alaina Walton