Going Against the Grain: The Acquisition and Use of Literacy

African American history particularly that of black women is effectively illustrated in Going against the Grain: The Acquisition and Use of Literacy. As I was reading this text, I recalled the sentiments my peers expressed in regards to the advantages of living the life of a black woman on the first day of class. Royster relates that despite the two hundred years of oppression and dehumanization African American women endured, they came out with a sense of self worth and self reliance. I have read several articles that have equally illustrated the treacherous institution of slavery since I have been at Spelman; however, I thoroughly enjoyed this text. Although, Going against the Grain relays that the black race was raped, beaten and dehumanized, Royster too emphasizes that even in the face of oppression we, as black women, acted “with authority and power as intellectual beings” (114). I feel as though too often in the black community, we are told that we have been wronged and we have the right to be bitter. The acquisition of literacy was by no means an easy road and by titling this chapter “Going Against the Grain”, Royster relays to me that it is imperative that we continue to do so. Despite the fact that we were used and abused throughout the institution of slavery and viewed as inferior to all others long after, our acquired literacy was one of the primary skills in which we formed our distinction. We, as African American women, have beaten all odds--we are no longer on the plantation and we are no longer being held down. As we so diligently went against the grain before, it is imperative that we do not stop now. Here at Spelman, we have been given ample opportunity to utilize our literacy and become even more competent than the women before us therefore it is imperative that we continue to go against the grain as we refuse to succumb to the notion of victimization.

--Taylor Carter