Literacy

Literacy

Mandy sat among her close friends, mortified because it was going to be her turn to read next. They looked at her, smiling, expectantly. Her heart was pounding. “No, I’ll pass this time, you go.” The next woman took the turn amiably, no one the wiser.

The time came when the friends made noises of departure. Mandy stopped them. She knew it was time to come clean. “Listen you guys, she began. I have something I want to tell you.” She was nervous, but kept going, “you are my friends, and I feel good sharing this with you, and it’s time. I can’t read.” She went on, quickly, “But I’m going to learn now, and I just want you to be patient with me.”

That was many years ago. “Mandy” not only learned how to read, she learned to teach, and works with men and women who are facing difficult times. She overcame the label that she had put on herself of "stupid".

While having skill at reading is important in our society, adults who don’t read often give up trying to learn because they feel shame at admitting it, label themselves as stupid, and suffer from low self esteem – and this despite demonstrated brilliance and success in other areas of their lives.

Literacy is commonly associated with the 3Rs (Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic) and has extended to a basic knowledge of technology – but encompasses so much more. It is also about being able to express ideas and opinions appropriately, make decisions and problem-solve, and is about knowing how to be effective in family and in community. Illiterate does not equal worthless. Illiterate equals opportunity-to-learn important skills for life. We need to recognize and embrace the concept of opportunity.

Mandy was fortunate in knowing what she wanted to do, she had a goal. She knew how to go about working at the goal, and access learning. She had a support system of friends and family. And she had the determination to stick with it, and a schedule that allowed learning.

Not everyone has those advantages. Some haven’t learned to read or to be functionally literate because of a learning disability, or a chaotic home life, or an interrupted education, or because they’ve been told until they believe it that they’ll never learn.

They may end up on the street or in a Shelter, not knowing “what” they don’t know, but feeling certain that the problem is a lack within them, afraid to share that thought. People will often share deeply personal issues and abuses before they share their reading inability.

The great news is that with the help of both learning organizations and volunteer mentors, we can make a difference. The first step is to take away the stigma associated with not having a certain level of knowledge (e.g., reading, problem solving). All learning starts somewhere. The next step is to support learning in the ways that you can. Learn more about how you can help.

Together, we make a difference in our communities, to our people.


To find out more about how you can help, contact your local Board of Education (now mandated for education from cradle to grave), or send me an email, and I’ll put you in touch with an organization.