This piece, Sponsors of Literacy by Deborah Brandt explores the history of literacy in the United States. It doesn't look at literacy as one might think, it's more a look on literacy regarding its sponsors. Brandt believes that literacy is used as a tool by powerful people to get something in return. For example people became more literate once it benefitted the state to have citizens who could read. Sponsors, according to Brandt are the elite. Literacy isn't pursued for a love of learning but to achieve an aim. People began to push for education for their kids once they learned it equaled social mobility. Dwayne Lowery a factory worker who became head of a union had his literacy sponsored to serve a purpose. Once the game of union work changed and became more legalisitc his acquired literacy was no longer sufficient and he was replaced by someone with a masters degree. The rules of how much education is required for a certain position is made by the elite.
Another idea Brandt explores is background. Ones background has a lot to do with the level of literacy one a quires doing a lifetime. Brandt interviewed two people from the same town. One man and one woman. The man was born to a father who was a college professor and a mom who was a real estate agent. He was exposed to computers and scholarly material younger then most people. The woman was born to Mexican immigrant parents who had modest jobs. Her sponsors were her parents who gave her what they could. Same town, two different stories. After reading this piece by Brandt I'm convinced that everyone's literacy history is unique.
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