Going Against the Grain 3

This section talks about how after the Civil War different movements formed in order to help African Americans become literate. According to Royster, “the symbolic and practical significance of literacy, after emancipation, going to school became a political act as well as a means of personal edification. Black people joined together to establish education systems and hire teachers for old and young alike, and their collective efforts represented both defiance to white authority and an expression of community self-interest” (pg123).  African Americans understood the implications of literacy and learning in political, economic, and social progress. They could see clearly from the extent to which they were denied access to it. That education could make a difference for individuals and for whole communities.

This is why African Americans were able to start Sabbath school, missionary school, and public school movements. People in Atlanta saw this as an opportunity for advancement and took it. They began to form public schools and private colleges like Spelman College. This was a great advancement for African Americans because education gave them a better opportunity to better jobs which meant better pay. On the first point, whatever African American women wanted to do with literacy would at the very essence be perceived by hegemonic structures as going against the grain. Some of them fought for their education and for their generations. They wanted to make a huge difference in the world, and began accomplishing great things at an early age, such as Charlotte Forten.

I really enjoyed this reading and it really gave me the true history of the development of school’s for Africans Americans. It has made me really appreciate the opportunities I have today and I thank all of the people who didn’t give up and continue to fight for not only are freedom but also education for us.