Literacy as Liberation and Resistance

Sor Juana's pathway to freedom ran through language—mastering Spanish, Latin, theology, and philosophy gave her tools to argue, question, and assert her intellectual authority. Literacy in her tradition transcends basic reading skills; it encompasses the ability to decode systems, understand rhetoric, engage with complex ideas, and compose one's own narrative. For children's rights, this concept demands that literacy education prioritize critical thinking and expressive power alongside mechanics. Children who can only decode simple texts remain dependent on others' interpretations; children who master language become agents of their own meaning-making. This is particularly crucial for marginalized children whose stories are typically told by others. Deep literacy enables resistance to propaganda, advertising, and ideology. It allows children to document their own experiences, advocate for change, and imagine alternatives. Investing in children's literacy—particularly for poor children and children of color—is therefore an act of justice. It transforms reading and writing from school subjects into liberatory practices that expand possibility and restore voice to those systematically silenced.