Going Against the Grain

A Black woman’s identity is a very important aspect to who she is and where she came from. Black women had to endure hardships during slavery which at times stripped them of their personal identity to their home. But soon the Black woman would be able to rise again as the backbone of what they would later define as “community” in the Black race. They would soon be resilient against every odd that stood in their way by the use of psychic and spiritual strength (113).

One odd that the Black woman faced was her challenge of being deemed human. A common right that we take for granted today was not seen as possible for hundreds of years. Black people were slaves, owned to work for others. Gaining literate consciousness was very difficult at that time. Some religious slave holders did read to slaves. There were ways for Blacks to gain “human” status but it was only through those in charge. Presidents of the United States were such source to adhere to for this freedom admired by slaves. There were those presidents who did not agree with slavery but failed to do anything, and those who acted against slavery such as Benjamin Franklin. But of course none of these actions were felt in the Black defense.

Eventually, all struggles for the Black woman would lead to the desire of becoming equal. Black women have would begin to understand how important their role is in defining and empowering justice within the political aspect of race. It is not just land that is rightfully theirs but also the literacy that they were denied as slaves. The religious aspect would return as a foundation of literate movement. Maybe religion is one reason most schools began in churches. It is great to say that Black women have defined/received the well deserved title as being human and finally rightful owned.