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Wow
To read the desire the author had to read at 60 brought tears to my eyes. We have drifted so far from this and take a lot for granted.

Makes me want to help in a greater way.
Also explains how slave mentality has followed us throughout the years.

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The writer desperately longed to read and learn!  It was touching to read the passion in her voice as she sought to read the "hymns and Testament."  She expressed why some people did not want the enslaved African people to read.

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This poem resonates with me, because I have heard fellow teachers talk about black/brown students and their inability to be successful.

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The poem makes an explicit link between struggle, literacy, and self-sufficiency.

The poem is sad in a way. It shows so much reliance on the "Yankees". Knowing, as we do, that they are about to abandon the newly freed enslaved peoples makes me read this poem in a very different light.

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knowledge has the ability to make the powerless feel powerful!

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With literacy come freedom!!!

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Wow she learned to read at 60!!!

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The more things change, the more things stay the same...Watch

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The sneers and frowns came from people who were losing their power, as this freedperson actively seized her freedom and empowered herself through education despite her age and the doubts of others.

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Knowledge and the ability to read made the speaker feel independent.

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It explains so many current issues with literacy today

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Knowledge didn't agree with slavery--
Twould make us all too wise.

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"Then I got a little cabin--/
A place to call my own--/
And I felt as independent/
As the queen upon her throne."

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Knowledge didn't agree with slavery-- //' Twould make us all too wise.

This part reminds me of how even now, certain populations are given pathetic levels of education due to low funding, corporate-influences, etc. because some groups do not want other groups to think for themselves

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It's scary to realize that something I take for granted was intentionally withheld from people to control them.

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Literacy/Education empowered her and gave her the feeling of independence

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It is so poignant to me that she learned to read even though she is 60. I feel I am still "learning to read": learning to read the news, the signs and symbols, the true intent of politicians, and people.  "Learning to read" is not just  - decoding.

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The imagery of greasing the papers in the hat.

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What lines stood out from the poem Learn to Read and why?

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What lines stood out from the poem Learn to Read and why?