Going Against the Grain
By: Erica Paige
Going Against the Grain talks about the historical aspect of African-American women and their use of literacy in history. African American women are still today using the same literacies to further themselves in society. At the beginning of the piece, Maria Stewarts piece suggest African American women have understood the power of language and learning. That has carried from the 19th century to now in the 21st century. African American women are going against the grain of society and the oppressor. In the slave days African American women were used for and looked at as the only thing they could do with expertise is bare children. A lot of people still associate African American women with the issue of child bearing. As if she does not have the ability to do or be anything else of value.
African American women have also gone against the grain in relation to activism, which by the way can be considered literacy in itself. African American as a race has always been at the fore front of activism and advocacy, but especially the African American woman. Going Against the Grain talks about the beginning of activism with the obvious women: Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth but also women that came before them, Ellen Watkins Harper, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and many more. Just as they begin it, African American women have continued to be activist through the centuries. African American women continue the fight to be literate and have a place in this world. They have worked “against the grain” in more ways than one. Today, black women are using the same spirit as their ancestors to fight for justice and equality. They continue to know the importance of literacy and activism and “Going Against the Grain.”
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Sequoia Phillips- I feel like if you could have metaphorically analyzed the term "going against the grain" instead of referring it to the society there could have been a stronger meaning to this blog.I understand what you are trying to say but sometimes it takes for you to relate to the reader and break down a selection beginning with its title. I agree with the aspect of the African American culture still using the same literacies today, and I can assume that the people today, such as ourselves have the privilege to get an education today.Too many people complain in our society because they feel like our society is not equal, when our ancestors didn't have anything and still overcome all of the excuses we give.
ReplyDeleteBrittney L. Echols
ReplyDeleteI think you made a good point in your blog. If it had not been for these wonderful black women going against the grain, where would we be as a race today? Would we still be enslaved or under the impression we were worthless and did not know anything? These women took a risk and went against the grain of their daily routines to make a change in the world that still affects us and characterizes us today. Even during this day in time if you do not step outside the box or go against the grain you will be over-shadowed or overlooked in life. You will not be remembered as a person when you are no longer alive. At some point in your life, no matter what the reason may be, one must go against the grain.