Don't Shut Me Up!

The Black portrayal of society is greatly challenged, especially in the education field. The thing is, Black women learn differently than their white counterparts. The Black woman’s experience is significantly different from those of other races; therefore, the way she learns has to be relevant to her life.

Our cultural vernacular is an important aspect to the way we perceive others and the way we understand ourselves. This is the reason why most Black people do not take the time to understand English as stated in Black Women/Black Literature. It is hard for us to relate to what society has deemed the correct way to speak and write. What if we as a culture accepted our vernacular as a poetic gesture or a way to express our creativity? There is an urban dictionary filled with words created by the Black culture. These WORDS express our demeanor, politics, and everyday experiences. This is one way to construct how we feel as a Black culture without someone coming in and taking what we have to say away from us.

Having writing skills is very important especially when communicating with others. In Black women literature, as stated in Black Women/ Black Literature, there are lessons to learn such as learning right from wrong and how to treat people. This is probably so because the Black woman has experienced many hardships and understands how others want to be treated. The Black woman has not always been recognized for her literature and works. Black Women/Black Literature spoke of two Black women who expressed themselves, one through writing and the other through film. There are no more excuses for the Black woman to silence herself from creatively expressing her thoughts or feelings. It is so great to say, especially today, no one shut this Black woman up.

It's Story Time!

“Every story that we tell or hear has a purpose and helps keep our lives knitted together” (Franklin and Dowdy 122). The history and culture of the African-American community is one that extends over centuries and centuries. The use of storytelling was a soution for the Black race to continue to keep traditions and customs alive for so long. The old art form allows Black people to stay connected through sharing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. As a young African-American female, I grew up around storytelling. I can still remember many stories my grandparents told me about their childhood in Mississippi and Louisiana. Not only did their stories give me a greater understanding of history, they also helped shape and mold me into the literate young woman I am today.

One of the most important elements involved in storytelling is culture. There is something unique about people of African descent. There are so many different aspects of how we live our lives that only we can relate to. The way we walk, the way we talk, and the way we love. It’s all a part of our culture as Black people. Storytelling keeps these unique aspects alive from generation to generation. Without storytelling, my generation and a few generations before mine would be deprived of so many things that make our race so special. As old as storytelling may be, it still plays a significant role in the African-American community. 

The Distorted Images of Black Women

Stripper. Porn star. Video vixen. These are the words associated with Black women in the media. As derogatory as these words may be, they are often used to describe the Black woman in the media.

In today's media, Black women are portrayed as sexual objects and not as literate persons. Elaine Richardson talks about the different social constructs that influence the literacy of an African American female. One of those constucts being the early "knowledge of the self as racially and sexually marked objects" (Richardson 675). There is a perception that young Black women construct from viewing the media. There are Black women who engage in promiscuous acts because of the attention gained or for money. However, not all women are in it for the pleasure of gaining social acceptance. There are women who seek these influences to benefit their family needs or to pay for their education. No one can assume a woman’s intention behind her activities just because her activities are not accepted in society.

Richardson also discusses a common thought that all Black women are strong/ superwomen. Black women throughout history have always been the backbone for their families and they were never able to do for themselves. This is why younger Black women are having children early because society views Black women as homemakers and child bearers. The theory of the superwoman is then played through the way the Black woman handles everyday life. She may feel the need to approach her job, raising her children, her education, and marriage with the thought of achieving perfection. No matter what is on a Black woman’s plate, she will complete her priorities by any means necessary.

People throw out distorted images of Black women; however, the truth is these perceptions play a huge role in the molding of the Black woman.