Christian Best

Robert Arnold
UWRT 1101
10 September 2015
Literacy Narrative
When an individual thinks about what it means to be literate, they automatically think
about being able to read and write. That isnt a completely wrong assumption. Being able to read
and write does classify a person as literate. But there is also another form of being literate.
Becoming literate in a subject can also mean becoming knowledgeable and educated in a
particular subject. If a person doesnt have any hobbies, doesnt participate in any sports, and
really doesnt get involved in many extracurricular activities, what subject can they possibly
become literate in? Being that I am that person, I can tell you: that person becomes literate in
ones self.
Becoming literate in ones self sounds like an easy task but it can be quite a strenuous
journey. Its not a journey that everyone embarks on because its not just about knowing your
own background and history. Becoming literate in yourself is about getting to know yourself,
learning to be confident, and believing that you can take on the journey of life no matter how
hard it gets. Everyone doesnt have the strength to do these things. Some individuals never learn
who they truly are, inside and out. It takes time, facing the truth, and having faith to really
discover yourself. And thats exactly what it took for me.

I should first begin by explaining the person I was before explaining the person I became.
Growing up I was a quiet child that never caused trouble. Picture a little girl with lots of hair
bows and ponytails. This little girl would wake up every morning, grab her pacifier, watch a
couple episodes of Dora the Explorer, and go hide in the kitchen cabinet until her mom came and
found her. That little girl was who I was, I was extremely quiet and shy. My mother and Dora the
Explorer were the only two people I felt comfortable talking to. I rarely spoke to my dad and
older brother, even though we all resided together. That shy and quiet little kid grew into a very
shy and emotionally detached teenager.
My teenage years were the most difficult for me. My major problem was dealing with my
emotions, or lack thereof, and the fact that I enjoyed being alone. Whenever I tell people I was
emotionally detached they usually jump to the conclusion that I was depressed and sad, but that
wasnt the case at all. I wasnt depressed or lonely, I was just very nonchalant and very bad at
forming emotional connections with people. You know how some men tell their sons that it is
considered weak to cry and show people your emotional side? That was very similar to my own
personal mindset. I felt when people publicly showed their emotions, they exposed themselves
and showed themselves as weak. Therefore showing emotions, feeling empathy, and having
sympathy were completely forbidden for me. Having this mindset made forming friendships and
relationships really difficult.
Because I really couldnt naturally form friendships with people, I began forcing
friendships into place. This is the point where I really lost touch with who I was. I kept
conforming to fit in with the crowd. If everyone was wearing a certain brand, I had that exact
same brand. If everyone was making fun at certain person, I was right behind them just laughing.
I knew these things werent right but I desired to be accepted. I thought I needed to be loved by

these people because I thought they were my friends. I quickly learned the difference between
friends and social associates around December of 2010.
The process of learning who I was and who I wanted to become began that December.
December 11, 2010 is the day my mother told me my grandfather had died. Have you ever had
your feelings hurt? Have you ever been punched so hard that it felt like your breath has exited
your body? You ever stubbed your toe and you felt really angry? You ever felt really frustrated
because you couldnt have something that you wanted so badly? That hurt, that breathlessness,
that anger, that frustration, that is every emotion that coursed through me when I heard those
words, your grandfather just died.