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)