Reading and the Black Culture

Ok let's talk,

We all, well alot of us have heard the statement, "if you want to hide something from a black person put it in a book because they'll never look there." That's just a disgrace. What seems to be the problem? Now I have to beat up on myself in this one because I have been known in to past to say I hate reading... I just won't read. Well my views on reading have been changing for the better. In the past, I've always associated reading with words like, boring, studious, nerdy, unexciting, just plain ole' not good associations. How this occurred? couldn't tell ya. However, I've come to understand how powerful a simple book can be, even how powerful my own words can be. This led to a lot of writing on my part. I'm not just writing to entertain myself, but in doing so I actually become better and better at it. It's also really therapeutic!

Ok that's just me, what about the rest of my race. Why the stigma? Is it true? What's the problem?
Well I did a little research and found that a study was done in 1992 that tested the reading scores of 12 graders. The study was conducted up until 2005 and shows a trend of decline over these years. This includes all races. However, the discrepancy between the races was also tested and not only was the black race on the decline, but started at a lower score as well. You can see this for yourself here http://nces.ed.gov/ssbr/pages/reading0407.asp?IndID=39
Come on nah, not only did the Hispanic population take the number 2 minority spot, but they also read better than us too! Actually, the white population tested showed the most decline up to 2005 while the other races really remained the same and didn't really change so that does say that it isn't all bad, but it needs to rise.

Could this be the problem be that blacks are not at a proficient reading level and are discouraged from doing so? Maybe if we did something to better our youth's reading ability, reading would become a common pastime and maybe then the power that we have will begin to rise.
I think we all need to go watch that movie Matilda about 50 times and see just how strong our minds can be.

Well, that's all I have for now... It's past my bedtime! I gotta long day tomorrow!

Oh, just a side note... There's a book written by Hill Harper called Letters to a Young Sister, I hear that it's a good read... he also has one entitled Letters to a Young Brother. I will be getting my copy soon.... So should you!

Maybe I'll form a book club, we need more of those don't ya think, If not, this message did not serve its purpose at all.

Goodnight,