Today, many of us take literacy for granted. But two hundred years ago, some laws prohibited slaves from learning to read and write. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, how literacy fueled the drive for freedom among African-Americans. Also, the remarkable story of abolitionist Sojourner Truth.

SEGMENT 1

Nellie McKay , co-editor (with Henry Louis Gates) of the new "Norton Anthology of African American Literature," tells Judith Strasser that hers is the first anthology that sets out to define the African American literary tradition. McKay teaches American and Afro-American literature at the University of Wisconsin. Also, Princeton historian Nell Irvin Painter talks with Steve Paulson about her biography of one of America's most remarkable social and political activists -- "Sojourner Truth: A Life, A Symbol."

SEGMENT 2:

University of Minnesota historian David Roediger tells Steve Paulson that "whiteness" has been elevated in American society to provide justification for demonizing Blacks, and that there's always been dispute about just who is "white." Roediger makes his case in a book called "The Wages of Whitenes."

SEGMENT 3:

Scott Turow , best-selling author of "Presumed Innocent" and "The Burden of Proof" has a new book called "The Laws of Our Fathers." The new book reflects Turow's experience as a lawyer representing clients from Chicago's housing projects. He talks with Jim Fleming about the difficulties facing a white author who creates significant black characters.

Distribution dates:

• week of 02/02/97 - hour 3