READING IS REVOLUTIONARY...
Literacy is not as common as you would think. It didn't become a popular skill until the last 200 years, and even then, it has primarily been a skill developed by regular people only recently.
Prior to 1900, less than 20% of people over the age of 14 were literate.
In 2013, 48% of Canadians read below high school level. This can significantly affect their ability to succeed in their careers.
17% of Canadians who read at the lowest levels might struggle with simple tasks such as reading the instructions for their prescriptions.
Reading provides people with the skills to create change in their lives and communities.
READING IS REBELLIOUS...
Reading has opened the door to understanding new perspectives, something that allows individuals to better rebel against policies and societal injustices.
In 2024, over 1,100 unique titles were challenged in an attempt to ban them from readers in the United States.
These books represented a number of marginalized communities through their characters and stories.
Reading these stories allow us to learn empathy, understanding, and new perspectives that challenge the status quo.
READING IS RESISTANCE...
The stories within the pages of books teach us, and our children, to stand up for what is right even when it isn’t the easy choice.
Books like The Diary of Anne Frank, The Giver, and many others, show us how limiting access to information can allow communities to ignore injustices.
Reading and consuming stories at all ages, creates well-rounded and compassionate leaders who stand up for what is right.
The information in this post was collected from the following sources:
ABCLifeLiteracy.ca
ala.org
For more information about literacy, banned books, and the power of reading, please visit their websites.