Literacy and the World
Mandi Chikombero's novel is trying to convey the message that "different literacies have various implications for understanding Black women's struggle for acceptance and inclusion in male-dominated societies". She goes into defining literacy and discusses the types of literacy that are described in the chapter, traditional and colonial. Both of these types of literacy are the knowledge and practice of ideas, values, and attitudes of a specific society. Gender stratification is noted as contributing to race as an issue that further complicates the characters situation. Tambu believes that the colonial education will set her free. This is an example of how the literacy barrier in colonial times would be the cause of her trying to excel and strive for acceptance in society. In addition to the problems of the colonial era, social problems still exist in Zimbabwe today, such as some social inequalities that can be directly attributed to colonialism. Zimbabwe's colonial past has been the focus of many novels.
Colonial/modern/academic literacy is another main focus of interest in the novel. The motivation through all types of literacy are similar all across the board. An example of this is the colonial mission to achieve Christianity, western civilization and commerce. As these components were constructed in the society of Zimbabwe Zambu was affected immensely. "Despite her educational success, Maiguru is unable to fully enjoy the benefits of her education she never gets to spend her hard earned salary. Tambu notes that [her] aunt never received her salary"(pg.101). This goes to show that the "colonization" of Zimbabwe caused much controversy especially towards it's citizens. Overall, this highly upset me because if this occurred in our society this would be declared unconstitutional and this could be taken to court. In Zimbabwe that clearly wasn't the case. I hope that in today's society this is not accepted and that legal action could be taken against those unconstitutional acts. The literacy that I can most relate to is the colonial type, in that I learned from those before me and because of their strong efforts to become literate the colonial way was the one which I can most relate to. I thank my ancestors for their triumphs and determination for uprising above what was "allowed" and broke the barrier of African Americans being literate.
Colonial/modern/academic literacy is another main focus of interest in the novel. The motivation through all types of literacy are similar all across the board. An example of this is the colonial mission to achieve Christianity, western civilization and commerce. As these components were constructed in the society of Zimbabwe Zambu was affected immensely. "Despite her educational success, Maiguru is unable to fully enjoy the benefits of her education she never gets to spend her hard earned salary. Tambu notes that [her] aunt never received her salary"(pg.101). This goes to show that the "colonization" of Zimbabwe caused much controversy especially towards it's citizens. Overall, this highly upset me because if this occurred in our society this would be declared unconstitutional and this could be taken to court. In Zimbabwe that clearly wasn't the case. I hope that in today's society this is not accepted and that legal action could be taken against those unconstitutional acts. The literacy that I can most relate to is the colonial type, in that I learned from those before me and because of their strong efforts to become literate the colonial way was the one which I can most relate to. I thank my ancestors for their triumphs and determination for uprising above what was "allowed" and broke the barrier of African Americans being literate.
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