Abandoning the Art of Reading
By: April C. Thornton
When I read various types of literature, I find myself getting lost in the black words that are printed on the white paper. Reading allows me to escape into another world and keeps me updated with past and current news. When I engage into the writer’s expressive words it improves my pronunciation and helps with vocabulary and spelling. Although this is the satisfaction I get when I read, majority of my peers will admit that reading does not play a significant role in their lives.
This leads me to ask, why does some African American college students abandon the art of reading? Does the reason solely depend on students not being able to comprehend what they are reading or students not finding enjoyment in the literature they select? Students have their own personal reasons why they do not read; in my opinion they are refusing to expose themselves to different types of writing.
Bowie State University senior, Nkosi Dickerson believes, “African American college students may get bored with reading material that does not pertain to them.” In most instances, students prefer not to read, due to the fact that some writings illustrate a cultural and racial unfairness. Generally, these students would rather read literature that they can identify themselves with, this includes urban novels, Essence and Ebony magazine or information that is focus on the black community. In most cases, if literature does not grab the attention of students, they will quickly become uninterested and stop reading.
College students should want to explode different genres of writing when they open the papers of novels, newspapers and magazines. I understand that urban novels are popular among our generation; however these novels are only good for entertaining the mind and not informing it. Students should encourage themselves to read material that has substance and is beneficial to them in life. Students should consider reading more about the financial system, health issues, theories of traditional and non-traditional philosophers, past and present world history and more. Literature should challenge student’s intellect and allow them to obtain new information in this world of endless reading.
-By April Thornton
HBCU Buzz Staff
