The Emergence of African American Literacy Traditions: Family and Community Efforts in the Nineteenth Century »

PHYLLIS M. BELT-BEYAN is Assistant Professor of Literacy Research and Education at Western Michigan University.

Belt-Beyan traces the development of literacy in the African American community during the nineteenth century. Particular attention is paid to the role of the family and community in the establishment of literacy traditions and their transmission to successive generations. Coverage extends to a wide range of African American texts, including literature, songs, letters, diaries, sermons, and essays. The author teaches literacy research and education at Western Michigan University. The text is based upon her doctoral dissertation. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR