Monday, February 1, 2010
Literacy Builds Character
While reading Leonie C. R. Smith’s To be Black, Female, and Literate: A Personal Journey in Education and Alienation, a reoccurring realization that I came to was that literacy is more than acquired knowledge. Many traits that we gain over time are aids to achieving complete literacy. Literacy is not just the comprehension of an element’s capabilities and limitation; literacy is also the emotional stability to utilize that knowledge. During Smith’s “Literacy Narrative”, one of her first memories is the situation where her grandmother is persuaded into selling her estate for bags of flour and a $5 bill. This is a great illustration of how literacy can help you achieve personality traits that are essential to success. I argue that if Smith’s grandmother was literate, she would not have sold her estate, not only because she understands that the worth was no comparison, but also because she was more confident in her argument. With literacy, you can gain qualities that allow you to succeed in this society. From a personal point of view, I consider my day to day interactions. For example, in English class, it is very important to know the information, and utilize it. Between the in-class discussions and the assignments, if you do not have a clear comprehension of the required reading, it is easy to get lost and confused. If you understand that required reading, it is a lot easier to be brave to speak up in class, stand confident in your opinions, and stay dedicated to your assignments. Throughout Smith’s autobiography she talks about the different characteristics and traits she gained from her struggles toward literacy. Independence, self-sufficiency, and resilience are just a few traits that she symbolizes through her journey. Literacy can and will connect you directly with these positive traits. If you are literate, you are free. If you are illiterate, you have to depend of those around you to assist you in the every way. Literacy gives you the strength to stand and defend yourself. Without literacy, you will buckle to the influences and demands of those around you. Literacy will give you the flexibility to maneuver any situation for your benefit. Without literacy, you will be intimidated by change. During our journey on this path of literacy there are qualities that we gain to make us better individuals.
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From the reading and the blogged posted above I too connected to the story of Smith's grandparents traing their land and wealth for bads of flour and a five dollar bill. This weekend as a aid to my ADW class a film viewing was offered on Saturday entitled "King leopold's Ghost." The film mentioned how the chiefs of villages all over the Congo, the country of Africa that was colonized by Belgium under the rule of Leopold II, would be tricked into signing away their land, people, and animals for textile, beads and "protection." In Smith's grandparent's case they were not literate. Tose African Chiefs were literature yet they did not understand the white mans language.
ReplyDeleteJasmine E. Williams
This blog made me think about how extremely important it is to not only be able to read and write, but to be literate in other things as well. Financial literacy, for example, is as important now as it was back when her grandmother sold her estate for 5 dollars. We as African Americans have to be able to stand on our on and survive more so than any other group of people because there is no one that will be looking out for us. Literacy is not an option.
ReplyDelete~Alaina Walton