Transformative College Literacy of Literate Black Women Peer Coundelors

In 1997, Robin Wisniewski was designated the task of designing and successful launching a peer counseling program for students with disabilities, low-income backgrounds and first generation students at her University. “The programs philosophy would embrace a counseling perspective rather than draw from that of traditional college literacy programs based on administrative tasks, mechanistic teaching and basic skills development.” (Readers of the Quilt, 70)  Wisniewski assumed that the counselors would use traditional methods, like note taking techniques, study habits and other basic skills to develop their academic proficiency. Hence, both peer counselors and Wisniewski came to the conclusion that they individually had a responsibility to contribute to literacy learning of the university and the students within it.

  

Therefore the question of great importance “If you’re ignorant of everything that is going on and you have no idea and you’re just walking around, then how can you say we need change, or we need this and that?” (Wisniewski 69). After taking this question under consideration, I too completely agree with Wisniewski, and believe that it is foolish to aimlessly live life not knowing what’s going on or whether or not you even understand. Especially, since knowledge is power and without that we simply become enslaved to our scheme of doing things, whether that being right or wrong. But by building and promoting individuality it serves as a defense against racism and stereotypes in the world or even our local surroundings.

In conclusion, I truly enjoyed reading this chapter since it reinforced the concepts of peer counseling that many peer counselors have unfortunately lost sight of today. Examples such as Lauryn and Vania, two young African American women in the program, show exactly how important  it is to establish a relationship between both the mentor and the mentee, and what role that plays on their academics. Lauryn and Vania genuinely cared for their students, so tutoring exceeded more than just merely teaching biology or English but also allowed them to launch a friendship and a safe environment which permitted students to succeed. In addition, fortunately enough I have personally seen the affects of such concepts in my academics and can say this not only works but allows for a more optimistic, striving, and independent student.