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