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As a young man who is in the colonies as a laborer for a wealthy trader of goods in Boston, I've noticed the presence of schools where it seems that only the sons of those that I work for can attend.  As I sit in my small quarters lighted by a single candle, I wish that I could have to opportunity to gain learning in the arts, rather than sitting reading books that were provided to me by my employer.  He is a kind man who has donated goods to the local school but his son seems to not want to take advantage of these schools, instead taking up drinking at the local public houses. Such a waste!

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Decided to skip out on school today so I could get away from the rigor and demands of "learning to be a Christian gentleman."  As heir to the family shipping business, I am told that I have to learn how to analyze and articulate in order to be prepared to take over for my father.  But what I am learning in school that I can't learn from my father directly?  I just want to be able to a enjoy my youth.

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I've been working as an apprentice at a printing press under the tutelage of an expert. Even though my wages are meager, I send some money to my family back at the farm. I appreciate farming, but it isn't for me. My family begs me to return to the farm because they need the help, but I like the city life and the work that I do. The printing press is a marvelous invention that helps our community learn about local events. But I do not want to be an apprentice my entire life. I want to learn more about how to build better presses and improve business practices. The local college doesn't offer those types of practical courses, instead focusing on Latin and philosophy. I couldn't afford college, anyway, and my family is not of the proper social class to help me with the admissions committee. Maybe one day my business will  print books that students and their professors will use, and maybe I can even charge those elite students for the books!

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Today was exciting! I actually was able to interview for admission to the local university, and although I've not seen any women get accepted, I'm hopeful that maybe that will change. I talked about my frustrations with all of the young male students rioting and complaining about school. They have no idea how good they have it. Simply being afforded access to higher learning is such an opportunity! Anyway, I don't know if my interview was a "courtesy" interview, as I am the daughter of an External Board member for the University. My father works closely with the University President, but that is no guarantee of admission for me. I promise you, I am smart enough to compete with these young men - just give me a chance! #hopeful #admitwomen #femalescholar #icandomorethanclean

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Today was exciting! I actually was able to interview for admission to the local university, and although I've not seen any women get accepted, I'm hopeful that maybe that will change. I talked about my frustrations with all of the young male students rioting and complaining about school. They have no idea how good they have it. Simply being afforded access to higher learning is such an opportunity! Anyway, I don't know if my interview was a "courtesy" interview, as I am the daughter of an External Board member for the University. My father works closely with the University President, but that is no guarantee of admission for me. I promise you, I am smart enough to compete with these young men - just give me a chance! #hopeful #admitwomen #femalescholar #icandomorethanclean

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-Meredith Conrey

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As a young boy who comes from a low middle-class family, I can say that my dreams have been killed. My dream is to go to college, but that does not seem like it is possible because the seats in these fancy colleges are reserved for the fancy rich young boys who come from known families and their last names is well-known. I told my mother, who barely reads and writes, that I want to go to college with the fancy rich boys, who have big egos and of course big dreams, and she told me whatever I just told her is nonsense. She told me I need to forget about college and work to buy bread and potatoes. She told I don’t need to be smart to earn money, I just need to be a hardworking man. I wish I come from an upper-class family so that I can learn and increase my knowledge. Maybe one day my son will achieve my dream.

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Today is another day.  Just like yesterday and the day before.    At times I wish I was like "the others".  That's what we call those who don't have to work to advance.  Those who are lucky enough to go to be taught.  I don't have a choice.  I am a base born (illegitimate child).  I guess they thought I would corrupt the world or something due to being born of unmarried parents.  My childhood has been different than others and I want something different. Give me a break already!  I want to have a family of my own.   I sit here making the same shoes my masters walk in daily.  That’s not way for my children to live.  All I want is something different.  Something different for my kids and my kids’ kids.  I will never make enough to attend college.   What do I need to do to change this outcome!.!.! I don’t know what is taught behind the walls that we are forced to look at daily, but’s it’s got to be more than what I am doing now.  I wish that someone would give me a chance.

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As a 41-year-old female, I am a long-lived woman in the colonies, as most all of my childhood friends died in the scarlet fever outbreak a few years ago. I was taught to read at home, mainly because it was imperative that I study my bible for daily reflection. My older sister died in childbirth and I have raised her children as well as my own. I have been married since I was 16 years of age and have 12 children: eight of my own, and four of my sister’s. We work constantly in the fields and around the houses, as the cow needs milking and the butter needs churning. My sons have been lucky enough to attend a community school in town, and we have high hopes for them. My daughters stay at home and learn with me. I endeavor to give them the skills to become well-rounded and supportive wives to their future husbands.

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OMG...

I heard Elias Neau has just established a school for us freed African Americans in New York.  Who would have thought that?

Oh what will I learn?  Will women be able to attend?  I'm looking forward to reading and writing?

PS...I’m dreaming I'm writing this because us slaves was never allowed to learn how to write.  If we tried, we were beat...

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I have officially mailed my letter of intent to join the college near my hometown.  I’m told, only young men of wealth and scholarly descent will be considered for admissions to such a privileged institution.  Still, I am hopeful the new school president recently appointed by the board will consider my application to attend.  Father believes it’s a waste of time since we’re considered common folk and have no business pursuing such a fancy education.  I tend to think he means well but is unable to see past working in the fields.  My family’s livelihood depends on supporting our homestead, so I truly understand my father’s reservations about potentially losing an additional farmhand to help with our daily chores.  Mother has been far more supportive of my efforts to attend college, she’s even sewed a new shirt for me to wear if I’m granted an interview next week.  I suppose if my application is denied, I will stay on at the family farm for a while until I can raise enough funds to purchase my own piece of land and eventually settle down with a family of my own.  I am hopeful my letter is received well by the college president.  My future depend on it.

John Smith

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As a young woman in her thirties, I have been married for twelve years and have five children, two who died in infancy. I never had any formal schooling, but have always been a curious individual. As such, I made an encyclopedia of home medical remedies – It’s something of a pet project for when I’m not busy with the children or cleaning the house.  Despite not having any schooling, I insisted that my husband teach me how to read and write. Strongly and convincing woman that I am, he dutifully obliged. 

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As a young woman in her thirties, I have been married for twelve years and have five children, two who died in infancy. I never had any formal schooling, but have always been a curious individual. As such, I made an encyclopedia of home medical remedies – It’s something of a pet project for when I’m not busy with the children or cleaning the house.  Despite not having any schooling, I insisted that my husband teach me how to read and write. Strongly and convincing woman that I am, he dutifully obliged. 

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-Dana V.

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Ever since my friend secretly gave me this book, I have enjoyed reading it in hiding. I am a young black woman. The masters have refused to allow us to go to school. Only the native Indians are allowed. I guess this is because my parents do not own vast land that the master may want in exchange of us going to school. But even if they had, only my brothers would be allowed to attend. So, I am still not going to be able to attend college even though I really want to. I am happy still because my friend has promised that she will bring me more books when I finish reading this one. Please cross your fingers for me so that the master does not catch me reading. If I am caught reading, I may be hanged.

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As a half Native American, and half Caucasian woman, I am not allowed to attend college formally during the Colonial period.  We “half-breeds” are looked down upon, and are often reminded by Whites that we are “savages” for not following the Puritan Christian teachings.   My mother, who is White, attended college to become a teacher, but even she was discouraged from pursuing her real dream of being an accountant.  She was told “women don’t pursue such careers” and that her only choices were to become a teacher or nurse.  At least as a teacher, she could work with numbers and teach others to enjoy math as much as she does.  She met my Native American father when she was teaching children from the Choctaw Nation.

We don’t really trust the American government.  They have started many wars with other Native American communities, so we just hope to survive.  We are a peaceful tribe so we will assimilate with the Whites, sign the treaties they want us to sign, will move when they tell us to move, and learn what they want us to learn.  There is talk about the government relocating our tribe, so it seems pointless for me to begin college even if I could.  I know how to read, write, and do math though.  My real love is health and I am able to advance my education by being an apprentice to our Shaman. I am learning about natural and herbal remedies to cure common illnesses, and how to be a midwife.  Maybe when we settle in our new homeland, I can attend college, but if not, I hope my children can.

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At 15, I want so much more than to be bound to a life of breeding and household chores.  Marriage seems to be considered my only natural and necessary career. So unfair!My brothers have all been sent to boarding schools, and a few have begun their apprenticeships, and I want that!  I want to see and learn about this world, more than  watercolor painting,  manners, and sewing. I don't understand why father doesn't see that I need a formal education. I get we aren't suppose to but still its just so unfair.  I have heard the parlor talk, my mother and her friends have gossiped about one lady taking the entrance exam!  To think that could be me in a few years!  Every now and then I join my brothers in learning Greek and Latin, but father and mother discourage them from teaching me more.  Can't they see I want this more than anything?!

#idon'tevenlikekids
#candlelight
#whattheydon'tknowdoesn'thurtthem
#i'lldoitmyself

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They continue to insist that their way is the right way and we must abandon our stripes. My father warns me to not fall for their hollow promises but what if they are right? There they come again, with their books at hand professing that there is only one god and that we must abandon our stripes. These men have a school that I can attend and learn about their god and become "civilized". What is wrong with how I live? What if they are right? What if their ways are the right ways and we are wrong? I am afraid to abandon my stripes. My stripes represent my family legacy, the sacrifices that have been made, and the commitment to the tribe.

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Misty Rasmussen

I feel like my life is wasting away.  My day is filled from morning to night with chores. I have no time to myself to explore who I am or what I want to become. In fact, I’m to be married off soon and will immediately be expected to have a family of my own, I’m only 12. I have no say in the matter because I am a girl. Most days I feel like I’m a ghost, seen but not heard. I watch my brother who is just a year older than me go to school each day to learn and explore. I’m a girl so I can’t go to school. My life sucks… I’m tired of cooking over a fire or in brick ovens, preparing the fires for lighting, making candles, making soap, cleaning is a never ending with dust everywhere from these open fires, emptying chamber pots, spinning, weaving, knitting and making clothes, washing and ironing clothes, tending to the sick, collecting herbs and making remedies, watching all eight of my brothers and sisters, feeding the animals, milking the cows, gathering eggs… It NEVER ENDS. I want to learn, I want to go to school, and I want to be free, free from being a servant to my family! Why do I have no rights, just because I’m a girl? I thought life would be better in the colonies but it’s worse.

#colonialrepression, #girllifeincolonies, #suckstobeagirlincolonies, #don’tmovetocolonies

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I was born on this plantation and I's 14 now. Master's son, John, came and told me that he was goin to attend a "college," I don't know what that is. He tells me that this is a place that he can go to school to learn law. He said he wanted to be the county judge. I's always wanted to learn to read and write, but Master won't allow it. The only thing I know is how to pick cotton. John has always been nice to me cause we are the same age and he told me he will come back and tell me all about college. It must be nice to be able to go to school and be the judge. I wish I could learn law and make some changes. I's going to miss John, he's the only friend I have that is my same age.

-C. Johnson