Deborah Brandt’s definition of “Literacy Sponsor” to me seemed to be the fact that people become literate because of other people, school systems and other establishments (prison, work, etc.) Circumstances in a person’s life can help to be a literacy sponsor too. The characteristics of a literacy sponsor are people or places (schools, work etc.) who want a person to read and write to the best of their ability. Some sponsors are only a sponsor to help their own cause or goal.
Malcolm X’s literacy sponsors were prison, and Mr. Elijah Muhammad. Malcolm X read the dictionary in prison to learn to read and write. Then he read books and wrote letters to Mr. Muhammad. These were sponsors because they motivated Malcolm X to become great with Literacy.
Sherman Alexie’s literacy sponsors were his dad and the negativity he got from his schoolmates and society. Sherman’s dad had a lot of books and loved to read. This made Sherman want to read too. The fact that most of the students around Sherman and the society he grew up in, did not want to be literate, pushed him to become a great person with literacy.
I agree with Brandt to a point about Branch and Lopez, and how the difference in society and there life made a difference in the outcome of their literacy sponsorships. They both were in the same town and Branch got a better deal because of his parents. Lopez did well for herself but had to work hard for it. She proved that if you want it, then you have to work for it. If you look at Sherman Alexie then you can say a person can learn as much as he or she wants to. He overcame a whole Indian society who did not want anyone to become great. No matter what race they are or where they are in society you can have literacy sponsor around you.
i really liked how you put your definition of literary sponsor
ReplyDeleteIt was very easy to understand and to the point. You might have wanted to elaborate more on how you think race, class, affect literacy sponsorships.
ReplyDeleteYour blog was easy to read and to the point. I agree with your opinions on all accounts, especially your thoughts on how anyone can have literacy sponsors if they desire so. Lopez did have to work hard as you stated, but she did what she had a strong desire to do. Success cannot be defined simply by how much monetary gain is achieved. Who is to say that Branch didn't have to work really hard for his end result?
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