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Edison Student Commentary
“The Human Cost
of an Illiterate Society”
By Lincoln Rapp
Jonathan Kozol wrote this essay in an attempt to describe the
challenges that illiterate people face every day and the effect
illiteracy has on the country as a whole. He writes that most
illiterates do not vote. Those that do, usually do not consider
the character or policies of the candidate they choose and are easily
swayed by the opinions of others. This eliminates their chance to
vote their own opinion.
Kozol tells about a dream that he has had several times. He finds
himself in a railroad station or shopping center within a city that is
completely new to him. He does not understand the language and
cannot read any of the signs, then suddenly wakes up in a panic.
He points out that this is not much different from the everyday
experiences of illiterate people. They cannot read the menu at a
restaurant and often have other people order for them. They are unable
to read letters from their child’s teacher or write back. They
cannot read the labels on medicines to find out the expiration date,
allergenic risks, or side effects. Most of them do not know how
to use the yellow pages, nor can they even recognize the emergency
numbers on the first page. They are often required to sign their
names to documents they cannot read, which poses an obvious risk.
They often do not understand bills which require them to make
payment. They cannot manage checking accounts, and as a result
cannot make payments by mail. They cannot read the labels on products
at the store and must depend on pictures and familiar logos. This
prevents them from buying the cheapest products to save money.
Long distance travel is very restricted for nonreaders because they
cannot read traffic signs or street names. Short distance travel
is not as limited but still presents problems, such as giving their
location if they have a breakdown.
One of the main issues with illiteracy is that it is often passed down
from generation to generation. If the parents are illiterate,
they are unable to read stories to their children and teach them how to
read. These parents often cannot help with their child’s homework
because they do not know any more than the child.
Another major problem is how illiterates are treated. Many of them
cannot find a job because most jobs today require the ability to
read. They are sometimes insulted for their inability.
Schools often reject them because they are viewed as a waste of time.
I thought this essay was interesting because I was unaware that so many
Americans are illiterate. Illiteracy is a big problem that is
present in all parts of the world. I thought this essay was well
written and is very informative about the struggles of an illiterate
person.
Editor’s Note:
Lincoln Rapp is a Composition I student at Edison State Community
College, Darke County Campus. This opinion is being published with
permission, and was chosen for CNO readers due to the quality of the
assignment submission and relevance of the topic. It does not
necessarily represent the opinion of County News Online or Edison State
Community College.
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