"To Protect and Serve" by Elaine RIchardson

The quote “to protect and serve” is referring to the languages and literacies of the African American female being recognized and preserved in society. Richardson speaks on the term “mammy” which refers to the faithful, obedient servant, a language policy black women use. Most black women relate themselves to this term, a term used during slavery. Terms like “mammy”,” bitch”, and “wench” all belittle black women. Black women still continue the mindset of inferiority in society by using terms like these. I feel this is sad because it is true. I know many black females who have called themselves “bitches”, or have called another black female a “wench” or “bitch” as well.
Richardson says some literary policies black women use are: storytelling, code style shifting, signifying, and silence and speech. Unfortunately, when we do come across a black woman that is eager or “persistent”, she is avoiding the normal black woman’s’ fate. So really a black woman’s fate is usually the opposite of persistent, which is lazy, relenting, surrendering, and yielding. These policies are looked down upon in society.  All forms of literacy within the black, female communities show signs of inferiority, wrong, or not good enough. We are taught to change our speech, the way we act, hobbies, etc…Likewise,  “African culture forms adapt to meet the needs of this racist society” Richardson states. The way a black woman dances, acts, styles something about her, and sings isn’t attractive to the rest of society or liked because it is different.
But why should any culture have to conform, or change its ways, to any society, as long as that culture’s ways are safe, and abiding by the laws of the land? I believe the African-American woman’s traditions and culture does need to be preserved. It has a right to be given a chance just as any other culture in the American society.