Literacy Narritive

     In the two narritive writings, "Literacy Behind Bars" by Malcom X and "How I Learned About The Power of Writing" by Richard Bullock, both of the authors showed a lot of determination.  I really enjoyed reading both of these.  The two authors came from completely different backgrounds.  Richard Bullock was brought up around love and consistant teachings from his grandma, who seemed to never allow him to go outside, and Malcom X seemed to have grew up on the streets, learning hustling and trouble.  Malcom didn't care about the power of learning when he was young, while Richard seemed to take every oppurtunity and turn it into a teaching experience. Malcom couldnt read or write, until he was put in a position to where he had no choice but to learn.  Him sitting, coping words from the dictionary, reading even when the lights were out, it all shows a tremendous amount of determination.  Richard Bullock shows his determination by waking up to get the paper every morning.  He was eager to know everything going on in life.  In my opinion determination is the key to life, and both of these men are very intelligent, and decided through determination that they were going to make a difference in life.
     I remember growing up, in some ways I was like malcom and in some ways like Richard.  I grew up running the streets, catching the woods on fire, breaking into the closest school, I was just bad.  Not really because that's the way I wanted to be, but because I was bored.  My mom had to work two different jobs to support my brother and I, so we were always at the babysitters house. I thought I had nothing else to do.  I guess maybe in some ways I was trying to get some attention. Also,  I always enjoyed my grandparents when they came to town.   When they were in town, they would always bring us a book. when I was younger, I never really took my grandparents love for books to heart. The books they brought would most always end up in the closet floor.  But every occasion, Holiday, birthday, they would continue to bring us books!  They thought it was very important to read.  I dispized reading, up until I had children.  I wanted to teach my children, and show them what I didnt have.  I wanted them to love learning.  And because of my determination for success, my children love to read and  learn. They take every oppurtunity to learn and ask questions about everything in life.  My middle child is in second grade and reading on the sixth grade level.  I thank my grandma for my children's skills.  Even though she pushed me and I didn't respond when I was younger, I pushed my children.  They now look forward to her visits and Christmas and birthday presents.  Why?  Because she always brings books!