How many times during the course of a day has someone held out a newspaper or an advertisement or some other form of written communication and said: "Look at this."
Three months ago my blog carried a piece entitled "As easy as A B C ???" Over the past holiday weekend I gained a new insight into the world of illiteracy. Once again I read the Declaration of Independence and the history surrounding those fateful weeks, months and years. The thought entered my mind how powerful those words still are. Yet, 14 percent of Americans can not read that historic document or the history associated with it, they must rely on someone to read it to them or tell them the history ... they cannot read.
Some 42 million of our citizens cannot know the pleasure of reading not only that wondrous writing but so many of the printed pieces that make up our history. They cannot even fill out a simple form to allow them access to a class that will teach them ... someone must help them.
To me this is so sad. The enjoyment I get from reading and from writing they may never know. The statistical numbers translate into about 1 in every 7 Americans have no comprehension of the written word. They simply can't read or write. Many are too embarrassed to admit this while others become more and more frustrated trying to find a non-bureaucratic environment to help them achieve this most basic goal.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident ..." They are powerful words and their power seems to be magnified when they are read rather than spoken. There is something about the written word that transcends the spoken word. To hear the droning words of our history spoken tends to make me sleepy but reading the records of the events that led to the creation of our nation opens the mind to visuals and imagination. To know 42 million of our citizens can't share in this is depressing.
Many experts have made the statement that the crisis of adult literacy is getting worse. The numbers of Americans that can only read and comprehend at a fourth grade level or less, euphemistically referred to a functionally literate is becoming an epidemic that is destructive to our future.
From coast to coast there are organizations and foundations devoted to reversing this alarming trend. They work tirelessly to improve the lives of those who can't even comprehend the headlines splashed our nation's newspapers or such life saving signs as "Caution Men Working on Roadway." More drastically the information contained below a sign proclaiming: "In Case of Emergency."
So many times I have written YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. In almost every community there is a public library that can steer you to a group or organization or foundation where you can help someone overcome this disability.
In the past I have mentioned a dynamic lady who spends uncounted hours combating illiteracy. The foundation she began with only a hope and dream has blossomed. Ina Hillebrandt's idea of enhancing youths and adults skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening not only improves lives but contributes greatly to building self-esteem. The Pawprints Literacy Plus program is fun and makes one want to read.
If you cannot find a resource in your community where you can become a part of helping those who are unable to read visit the Pawprints website at www.inaspawprints.com and explore. Still at a loss, contact Ina through the Pawprints home page, just scroll to the bottom and look for the contact us button.
No matter how you do it ... help make a difference in someone's life. Help them to aquire a most precious of gift ... the ability to read.
Hi, Larry -- Thanks for the kind words, but the same back atcha! You eloquently point up an almost horrifying problem in our country. Illiteracy is no laughing matter. It ill becomes us, and ill prepares us to fight for our place in the world. A place that used to shine, now marred by low grades as we earn something like 57th position among nations of the world in literacy. Something has gone horribly wrong. But oddly enough, I see a glimmer of hope these days in new technology. Commercials now hype reading as fun and "hot." With electronic readers such as the iPad, kids can now engage with books in ways with which they have become comfortable, and I am hoping that reading on a computer or phone, plus bells and whistles such as sound and color (and video -- think "vook") can add to the experience of reading for our young people. Something has to, to reverse the numbers. Thanks for all you do to help fight illiteracy yourself!
ReplyDelete