African American Literacies is a study of literacy and rhetoric & composition from the perspective of African American experiences. Richardson argues for an expanded conception of African American Vernacular English, which recognizes not only respect for surface elements but also its Standards, its ideologies and rhetorical practices that all contribute to the universe of Black discourse, and its role in the enrichment of American rhetorics, discourses and literacies. Richardson argues that implementing this view of literacy education will not only improve the literacy achievement of African American students, but rhetorical education for all. "Elaine Richardson's African-American Literacies is a profoundly powerful and moving book. Though much has been written on Richardson's themes, her book is full of fresh ideas." James Paul Gee, University of Wisconsin at Madison, "Elaine Richardson has brought an energizing, critical black voice into the conversation on African-American literacy by grounding this book in African-American ways of speaking and knowing. The daughter of an African-American community where reading and writing failure often shortcircuited academic success, she is well equipped to confront attempted culture-cide in the writing classroom." Arthur K. Spears, The City University of New York