Class and the Politics of Writing

In the text the author states, "I was writing to resist all the socialization I had received in a religious, southern, working-class, patriarchal home that tried to teach me silence as the most desirable trait of womanliness. Writing about the ways I was often punished, particularly for the offense of talking back, I shared in published work both the pain and isolation I felt as a girl dreaming about ideas and writings as well as the punishment I received for refusing to be silent" (page 100-101). This particular excerpt caught my attention because the author was basically taught her whole life that silence is appealing, and that she would be frowned upon for talking back or speaking up. I found this very ironic considering that nowadays, starting from a young age, girls are taught to stand up for themselves, to be heard, to voice their opinions. Young girls are told to dream big, to hold on to that dream and push for it to come to reality. Yet here, the author find herself feeling pain and isolation for dreaming and having ideas. Nevertheless, I am fond of the author for refusing to be silent, for dealing with the punishments and not allowing them to discourage her motivation; For this truly portrays the author's strength and bravery to go against the majority in order to do what she loves.