Sponsors of Literacy

Deborah Brandt defines a "literary sponsor" as people. We all have the ability to go and find whatever we are looking for, the dividing line is just the people who go out and do just that. The people who have been around literacy and its ideas are more likely to comprehend literacy as a whole rather than someone who has not seen modern technology very often. She says that people use literacy and pursue it for their own benefit. So in short a literacy sponsor is a person who wishes to pursue literacy and its concepts for further self benefit.

Malcom X and Sherman Alexie were their own literacy sponsors. Sure the books and the materials to read were right in front of them, but they had to chose to go out and take their own path in bettering their situation by informing themselves on these subjects. Malcom X while in prison took the initiative and decided to get something done with all his free time. He helped himself by reading and writing the dictionary all by himself. Alexie on the other hand had a father that may have been pushing books his way. But instead of just not reading he took the bull by the horns and read as much as he possibly could. Both of these men were on a mission to better themselves. and they both succeeded.

The United States is predominantly white, and probably always will be. Minority groups have always been looked down upon by whites and people who have more intelligence in literacy. The books and knowledge was thrown right in front of Branch and he had to choose wether or not he would take advantage of what he had. Lopez on the other hand was a minority for most of her life. finding books she enjoyed or could even read was difficult because of the area that she moved to. with this said i believe there is a degree of self motivation that goes with literacy sponsoring. Branch could have easily said no to all the books and information, and Lopez could have given into society and not done anything to make herself smarter. people are people no matter what color their skin is, and the schooling opportunities today are the same for everyone. so the minority has just as good of a chance today in life as the majority. it all just comes down to the self motivation, and the will to learn and further improve your own life.