Reading is Fundamental

During Black History Month the inevitable conclusion that education is the key to success in America is always a cornerstone of discussion. This fact has been known for generations. In fact African Americans as slaves were not allowed to learn how to read by penalty of death, and after slavery not given equal opportunity (if there is such a thing) to learn until the late 1960's.

The ability to read leads to power and always will . What does the power to vote mean if you cannot read the ballot. What kind of economic power can one have if they cannot read, write or add. Reading should be fun and fundamental. But our school system is failing this generation. As an African American baby boomer I was always pushed to read. I can vividly remember  having to go to the "Read Away Vacation Club" at the public library every summer during grade school. Books could be checked out and you received stars and rewards for reading so many books, and keeping track.

After WWII the black newspaper was where people went to find out information and what was going on in the black community. These were usually weekly papers and we looked forward to looking at them. These papers pushed the black agenda, but also showed the plight of the black community in terms of crime and punishment. I would read all the black magazines like Jet and Ebony. Today's  African American generation sees reading as a punishment instead of a privilege. We are no longer a race driven by the word as much as by electronic media.

We are bombarded with media such as television, radio and the most recently social media, such as Facebook, twitter, and Instagram. We get our news here which is skewed and in many cases incorrect. Many times I asked myself if social media is really learning, or just talking without purpose.

Every morning I still read the newspaper. Not digitally online, but the old fashion hard copy. I find it enjoyable, entertaining, and educational. One of my daughters boyfriend has taken up the banner of not having their baby immunized and home schooling him. He asked that the family understand his reasons, that immunization causes altruism and the school systems isn't teaching black history or proper fundamentals. He asked that we do our research before we went against him. I wanted to ask if he had done his research, for if he had, he would see there is much more information discrediting his reasons than not. However you, would have to take time to read to do this research. And while the public school system does not have a sterling record there are positives that can be found that cannot be replaced. Just because you are educated, doesn't make you a good teacher for your child. You have to be able to put in the work and the effort. The same goes for our teachers.

If we want our children to succeed they must learn and want to read. We have to read to them early on and make it enjoyable for them. We must be patient and help then and watch what they are doing in school. Once they fall behind or out of love with reading it is very hard to get back.