Going Against the Grain: Part 2

In this section of Going Against the Grain, literacy involving slaves were discussed. Slaveholders kept the enslaved from being educated on purpose in order to prove their power. They thought if slaves were to become educated it would make them more aware of their situations and go against the White man’s authority. This subject was so important to slaveholders that laws were passed prohibiting slaves from becoming literate. When I read these outlandish facts, it appalled me to know that people were purposefully setting African Americans back for no other reason than fear of the inferior. In later years, African Americans developed their own schools in order to expand their education. They realized the significance of literacy in their lives and were not going to let anyone stop them from achieving their goal of literacy. Their schools were different from others because they had teachers for the older learners as well as the younger ones. By starting their own schools, African Americans were proving white people wrong as well as coming together as a community. The community aspect of the educational system shows how African Americans were not afraid to stand up to an oppressor and fight for what they wanted as a unified group. Their unification was what made their literacy possible. The fight against whites in order to become literate also contributed to their leadership skills within the race. The history of literacy with African Americans was a constant struggle that many still face in present day. The respect I have for those in history who started these schools in order to educate slaves is immense. The inspiration they have given future generations of African Americans to fight for what they want will always be present.