The Letter That Made a Difference - Short Story

This is a short story that I wrote to educate people about the roles females played in the publishing world along with how people are still being treated unfairly. Hope you enjoy reading my works!

“Mommy, could you tell us a little more about grandma before we go to bed tonight? I want to hear the story of when she was a hero. Was she a superhero, or did she have superpowers?”

My kids loved hearing about their grandmother, and I wanted them to know just how extraordinary she was, so I said, “Well children, she didn’t have superpowers, nor was she a superhero. She was an ordinary woman that wanted the world to change. In fact, she wrote this very letter that I’m about to read you now.”

May 26, 1876

Wilmington, Delaware, United States

To: Mr. William Boyd, Owner of Boyd Publishing Company

Black women and men have been overshadowed in the writing industry for years. I know people think this is wrong yet they keep quiet. Why? We work, do our part in society, and ensure the well-being of our family, yet we are being treated like an entirely different species altogether. All because of what? The color of our skin? This is who we are and we can’t change it. We shouldn't have to change anything to be treated as equals - to be able to do things other people are allowed to do because we’re all humans.

I saw your ad in the newspaper today. It was a square piece of paper with tiny black writing. It said, “Looking for New Writers.” I heard about the shortage of workers at your company. I have a great passion for writing, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity for my career! When I called to apply, however, I was infuriated. I was told black people were not allowed to work for your company, only white people were. I assure you every single black journalist has talent. We have a passion for the world. We want to change it, and it should start with equality. Not only for people of color but for women too.

I was also told that women were not even allowed to publish using your company. In fact, women can’t even work there at all - whether they're white or black. My application would have been denied either way. Why is that? We, women, lead the same lives as men. Whether we're black or white. Female or male. We are the same. I can't emphasize that enough. Women and men are just genders. They do not identify what we're capable of or what we can and cannot do. We should stop these childish assumptions about one another, put aside our differences and work together because when people work together they have the ability to create something beautiful.

My dream is to be the first black female publisher in Canada and, with or without your help, I will find a way; ways for me to express my opinions, culture, and beliefs but, most importantly, make sure that everyone has a chance to voice their opinions. No matter their race or gender, everyone will be able to publish or work in my company, and I believe you should do the same because everyone should treat others the way they want to be treated.

When you told me I could no longer call your office, I was appalled. I called anyway. They told me they had already given me their answer and I could get arrested if I called again. Why should I get arrested for doing nothing wrong? Right now the message we're getting is that only some people's voices should be heard and not others.

My mother was a wonderful woman who wanted this thought to change. She once told me she didn’t understand why women and men are being compared. Even if women (or men) had different colored skin than others, they’re still human. She had a very clever mind and one night she said to me, “Have you ever noticed that in the word women there is the word men? I hope once they think about this one day, we will not be compared, but be equal.” At that time, my young mind never quite understood what she meant, but I now understand.

My mother wanted us to realize that men and women need each other. One can’t live without the other. Men have important jobs but so do women. We depend on each other to live the beautiful, happy life that we all crave. We have to be treated equally, and I’m not just saying this for myself, but for the future generation.

Our children and grandchildren must learn from our mistakes, and grow and thrive to make our world an even better place for everyone in the future. Even if I’m not there to experience that growth I’m hopeful that one day there will be. I will lay in my grave knowing that I made a difference. Even though my mother recently passed away, this thought will always linger in my head. She may not be alive, but these words she has said will always remain strong in my mind.

I believe that if I stand up, not only will I eventually earn rights for women but I will empower other women and young girls to stand up for themselves, and together we will fight this injustice.

I’m hoping you take the time to consider what I've said and help with my mission - a mission for our world to grow and make changes to our opinions on black people and women in general. The future generations will get stronger as we fix our mistakes, and it’s never too late to fix one. This is not a lost cause. Just give me and all the other people, black and white, men, and women, a chance.

Yours truly,

Mary Ann Shadd

“Wow! What a great story! Do we still have problems like this today?” and I gave my kids the best answer I could. I told them, “Problems like this never go away, but it’s up to you to make sure that one day they will.”