Going Against The Norm

As I began reading this excerpt written by Sharon M. Darling, I began to visualize black women in the eyes of my grandmother. Darling's excerpt had many great points which reminded me of many different talks with my grandmother. She has always been a strong, achieving, and feisty Black woman who has never allowed anyone or anything come in between her goals and dreams. No matter the situation, my grandmother has found a way to achieve her dreams, just as many other Black women. Learning to read and write are merely small achievements which paved the way for Black woman during present day and the future. I can recall my grandmother on more than one occasion drilling into my head the importance of education, family, and integrity. Even still today, I can hear her voice, "yelling college is the most important step a female can take because it was not an option when she was younger".

My grandmother is 84 years old and was born and raised in the South. Her parents had 10 children and were nowhere close to being financially stable. Her parents constantly told her to become a teacher to support yourself and your family, but she refused to conform.Although she went to college, it was not easy and her parents expected her to become a teacher so that she would educate her brothers and sisters, although she wanted to become a chef and travel the world. My grandmother just as many black women went against the grain to pursue their dreams and ignore the critics and demands of others. Black women have been ignored and belittled because of the color of their skin. Many refused to just sit back and be controlled, they acted against the struggles and challenges that were thrown her way. My grandmother like many women refused to be held back from their dreams which in my opinion has been the mind set of Black women for decades.