post #10

As I read “Learning to Read” by Frances EW Harper, I had an instant realization of how lucky I am to be able to read.  I cannot even remember far enough back to tell you how I felt when I was learning to read. But as much as I would like to say that I was as persistent as Harper, I sadly cannot guarantee it. My generation is so blessed to live in a society where so much emphasis is put on education for everyone. I just can’t imagine what it would be like to spend sixty years of your life without knowing how to read and understanding the power of literature. This is especially hard to imagine considering the power of literature was right in front of Harper but her masters forbid her of her right to learn. When she describes the way they tried to attain books to read, I feel horrible for denying them the right to learn. This poem just makes me realize how important it is for everyone to learn to read at an early age. Not only for the sake of their own learning, but for the sake of our ever growing nation, we need the highest percent of people educated in order to be successful.