The Importance of Literacy

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how, although literacy is not literally a function of slavery as it was when Douglass wrote his narrative, literacy remains a tool of social and political empowerment. The paper explores how individuals with inadequate literacy skills cannot begin to compete in a job market based on information; to run for political office; to read articles or websites. The paper further discusses how literacy bestows on the individual a means of communicating with others, of sharing ideas and debating essential points in the hopes of changing minds and hearts. The paper concludes that, through mastery of the written word, poor and oppressed individuals can challenge the assumptions that guide the dominant culture and create transformation and change just as Douglass did over a century ago.

From the Paper:

"Literacy skills are, however, appropriately framed as an economic tool as they are in "The Importance of Literacy and Numeracy Skills." The Australian report represents the mentality of the twenty-first century, when literacy skills allow individuals the opportunity to "compete in the global marketplace (p. 6). Individuals need literacy skills to succeed just as Douglass did, but literacy rates are far higher now than they were in Douglass' age. As a result, citizens of industrialized nations are expected to master reading and writing skills in school."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "The Importance of Literacy and Numeracy Skills." Retrieved Sept 14, 2006 from http://www.acci.asn.au/text_files/issues_papers/Employ_Educ/Literacy%20&%20Numeracy%20_August%202004_.pdf#search=%22literacy%20importance%22
• Douglass, Frederick. "Learning to Read and Write." Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.

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