A Wild Tongue And Frederick Douglass - 912 Words

In the Daily Gazette, Micaela Baranello states that Diane Anderson, a Swarthmore Education professor, emphasized, â€Å"The importance of realizing that just because students speak outside of the dominant discourse does not mean they are deficient, but rather that they are different† (Baranello). This demonstrates that if someone is different somehow, it should not degrade them, and that is what both Gloria Anzaldua in How to Tame a Wild Tongue and Frederick Douglass in Learning to Read explain in their texts. Even though Anzaldua promotes language identity while Douglass encourages an overall education, they both promote social justice and tolerance through the role of literacy. In her passage, Anzaldua claims that language is an identity. She stresses the importance of how people who speak Chicano Spanish are viewed as inferior due to it not being a real language. Anzaldua reveals that â€Å"repeated attacks on [their] native tongue diminish[es] [their] sense of self† (532). Being criticized by the language one speaks causes a low self-esteem and a misconstruction of identity. It can lead a person to stop or hide the usage of their language thus suppressing one’s self. She highlights the discrimination of Chicanos, so people are aware of it therefore encouraging tolerance and social justice. Anzaldua argues that â€Å"until [she is] free to write bilingually and to switch codes without having to always translate. . .[her] tongue will be illegitimate† (533). This shows how truly sheShow MoreRelatedThe Value Of Wisdom And Experiences1339 Words   |  6 PagesHe claims that as a kid, he reminds himself that he is a â€Å"smart Indian boy† even though it is not recognized on a reservation or even if non-Indian teachers believe that Indian children are stupid. Similarly, in â€Å"Learning to Read and Write,† Frederick Douglass demonstrates that slaves are entitled to have the same rights to learn about reading and writing as any other Americans. He testifies that his masters, including his fellow slaves believe that slavery and education were not compatible. MoreoverRead MoreThe Joy Of Reading And Writing : Superman And Me, By Sherman Alexie1359 Words   |  6 Pagesclaims that as a kid, he reminds himself that he is a â€Å"smart Indian boy† even though it is not recognized on a reservation or even when non-Indian teachers believe that Indian children are stupid. Similarly, in â€Å"Learning to Read and Write,† Frederick Douglass demonstrates that slaves are entitled to have the same rights to learn about reading and writing as any other Americans. He testifies that his masters, including his fellow slaves believe that slavery and education were not compatible. MoreoverRead More Social and Legal Definitions of Slavery Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave3974 Words   |  16 Pagesrose. (Douglass 112, chapt. 10) In Chapter 10 of Frederick Douglass Narrative of the Life of... an American Slave, Douglass describes an important incident in which he forces backward the standard master-slave hierarchy of beating privileges against his temporary master, Mr. Covey. The victory proves for Douglass a remarkable source of renewed yearning for freedom and of self-confidence; as he rose physically, standing up to fight, he rose in spirit. Covey did not have Douglass in the senseRead MoreThemes Of The Fireside Poets2095 Words   |  9 Pagesmaterials. The slaves of the south, in this era, were the backbone for producing the crop. The Triangular Slave Trade assisted with the supply of slaves here. Slavery ?seemed? fantabulous in the south, but morally incorrect. Abolitionist like Frederick Douglass were steadily rising. Authors started ascending and gaining fame for this country for the first time. The poets started receiving as much fame as the Europeans across the sea. Although the Fireside Poets were the first American poets to gain