The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Susan Rouchard
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
THE FREEDOM OF LITERACY
Miss Mathilda swiveled her head to the right and then the left before shutting the door to the makeshift classroom. Her dark eyes shone as she turned to the children.
“Open your readers to page twelve. Cicely, please read the first paragraph.”
Ten-year-old Cicely’s heart thumped. Taking a deep breath, she read, “‘The fly—says, I fly in—the air…’ What good do it do us to read? It’s agin’ the law.”
“Some laws are meant to be broken.” A tear glistened on the teacher’s bronze cheek. “Mr. Douglass says, ‘Once you learn to read you will forever be free.’”
Black History Month is upon us and there are so many untold stories to be shared. This story is loosely based on unsung hero Mother Mathilda Beasely. To read her story CLICK HERE. And to learn a little more about the Anti-Literacy Laws CLICK HERE
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Learn to read & be free forever.
Very positive & inspiring tale wonderfully expressed.
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Many thanks, Anita.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There is no job, none, more important than being a teacher
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No argument there, Neil. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Indeed they are! Nicely done.
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Thank you so much, Mr. B. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The power of reading in a nutshell. Well done Rochelle.
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Dear Iain,
The reasons for the anti-literacy laws are appalling. Knowledge is power. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An empowering story
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Thank you, Sadje. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome
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Amen to that. It’s the first step.
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Dear Lisa,
That first step is the hardest, isn’t it? Thank heaven for people like Frederick Douglass and Mathilda Beasely.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, yes, it is, and yes.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Rochelle,
Of course it was illegal to learn ’em to read and write. It would make them harder to control. Hurrah to all the women and men, white and black, who broke those rules. Nicely done, Madam!
Shalom and lotsa literary love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Yes indeed. A hearty hurrah to those courageous people who broke the rules. Thank you for your encouraging words as always. And because someone took the time to teach us to read and write, here we are. 😀
Shalom and lotsa educated hugs,
Rochelle
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Absolutely!
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I teach my kids to follow the rules, but as I do I’m aware that some rules don’t deserve to be followed and so many of us have benefitted from the rulebreakers over the years. Your character was clearly a hero who put what was right first.
Jen
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Dear Jen,
There are rules and then there are rules. Throughout history people have had to choose between right and rules, haven’t they? I’ve no doubt you’re a worthy teacher to your sons. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The freedom of reading saves lives. It had before. It does still. Information is power. Those who seek to control it, seek to control life and freedom itself. Thank you for this bit. xoxo
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Well said. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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May we keep having a voice. Amen. xoxo
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Beautiful story, Rochelle. Once you teach someone to read, you can never take it away. You are indeed free. I love this!
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Dear Brenda,
As I reply to your comment, I can’t help but reflect on the fact that I had wonderful teachers. Without whom I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Strangely, I didn’t think of our American history during slavery. I did think of the Irish, who were banned from speaking, reading, or teaching/learning their own language. The story is about to be written 🙂
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Dear Linda,
Of course, at this point, I have read your well written story. 😉 Our American history has its own brand of darkness, doesn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reading is so important. This was not just a good story, but a sad one because it reminds us that nearly 21% of Americans have low literacy skills. I liked your umbrella picture!
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Dear Michael,
Literacy is so important. I think some of us underestimate its value. Thank you for your kind words re my story and my photo. That picture was taken at an almost rained out art show. (ironically it turned out to be one of our most lucrative. So figure).
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think we take the ability to read for granted. How else can one learn about the world if knowledge only comes from what people around you have to tell you. Thank you for the reminder.
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Dear Sandra,
I’m with you. We take our ability to read for granted. As one who studies Hebrew, it’s amazing to look at those letters on the page and make sense of them. In reading what I’m writing, I’m marveling at how these letters on the page come together and make words. Language and literacy are precious. Thank you for the encouraging comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely piece historical lesson, as always, Rochelle.
Once you learn to read the whole world opens up.
My 14 month old Grandson loves his picture books, words will follow in time.
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Dear James,
There’s something wonderous about watching a child learning to read. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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point well taken. :)
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I’m glad, Plaridel. And you do it in more than one language. To me this is a wonder.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reading can open so many windows on life. You have opened one for me with this
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What a lovely thing to say, Michael. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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If ever there was a law that needed to be broken, that was it, The power of the written word, I can’t imagine what it would be like to be deprived of it.
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Dear Keith,
Nor can I imagine being deprived. I’ve known how to read since I was four. Definitely a law to break. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Censorship always has been and always will be a form of control. There is no greater censorship than illiteracy. As Bob Marley brilliantly sang, “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds.”
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Dear Nobbin,
Great quote from Bob Marley. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
Can you imagine not being able to learn to read or write?!
So many sad and unjust things in history. You wrote about a question
that many may have asked at the time. Good one, mi amiga.
Have a lovely weekend,
Abrazos y carino,
Izzy 😎 🤗
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Querida Izzy,
Illiteracy in any language is hard to imagine. What a prison that would be. Gracias mi amiga.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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Keep them ignorant and in their place. That was the thinking back then.
Brilliant writing, Rochelle.
Bless the teachers who broke those rules.
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Dear Nancy,
It takes great courage to go against the rules, no matter how unfair and inhumane. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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these are important stories to be told and still to overcome.
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Thank you, whoever you are.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Perfect timing!
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Thank you, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a courageous woman she was. You’ve given a snippet of her life and work here that shows the risks she took and the passion that motivated her. Terrific story.
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Thank you so much, Margaret.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely. A tear to my eye too. And although those laws have vanished, nowadays the deliberate underfunding of schools and libraries in some areas has similar effects (and background motives).
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Dear Patrick,
You make a great point about underfunding. I’d never thought of it that way. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Brave brave teacher and so completely spot on. To read, to learn is freedom.
Such a scary time.
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Dear Laurie,
I can’t even fathom what it was like to be a slave during that horrid time. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I am so grateful times has changed. Everyone has a right to education. Chilling to think how backwards life was back in the day.
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*have
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Lved this story rochelle! Reading is definitely a ticket to freedom!
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