Two Leaders Who Are Readers
| Posted in Book Excerpts, Bookmarks, Education, Health & Fitness, Inspiration, Leadership, Personal Development, Think About It | Posted on 29-08-2007
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Best-selling author, motivational speaker, and “grown folks” radio talk show host, Mr. Michael Baisden, frequently shares the fact that reading and writing books created a paradigm shift that literally changed his life forever.
I’m one of the many literacy advocates and activists who agrees with Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu’s honest belief that “readers are leaders” and “learners are earners.”
“Illiteracy will hold the blindfold that blinds the great minds of today and allows Ignorance to kill, steal, and destroy the opportunities tomorrow brings.”
–Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness
Imagine how difficult life would be today if you couldn’t read. What book(s) did you read as a child that inspired you to raise the level of your thinking? How many books have you finished reading this year?
“Leaders Are Readers,” by Ms. Thea Westra, is a blog that I inadvertently failed to mention when I initially published this post.
Copyright 1997-2007 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.
So true. I love that phrase “Readers are leaders”. Much wisdom in few words. I hope more spread that message. Thanks for this wonderful blog!
Hi Manchild;
I enjoy reading quite a bit and have many different tastes, but I think the one thing which inspired me to become an avid reader and learner when I was a young child, was a poem by Lord Byron entitled ‘Prisoner of Chillon’. My love of the written word had a powerful beginning and Lord Byron has become one of several favorites for me.
Prisoner of Chillon – Lord Byron
Take care;
Anna
Thank you very, very much Manchild.
What a lovely surprise to find myself here!
Namaste, Thea
I know things would be difficult if I couldn’t read. I know because I have always watched one of my relatives struggle with illiteracy. At times, we couldn’t even go to a restaurant because this particular relative was too ashamed. The person couldn’t read the menu.
As a child, my mother bought me many books. Books were important because I don’t think that we had nearly enough money to buy them. However, my mother felt that being able to read was crucial to my happiness and confidence.
Thank you for this post. It was intriguing.
Thanks for this post. As I child I enjoyed reading as an escape from the few television channel available back in the day. It was a form of entertainment for me.
One of the books I read this year is entitled “The Paradox of Choice” – it brought to my attention all of the choices we as consumers are now expected to make and how it can become overwhelming unless we put things into perspective.
Hi Manchild,
Thanks for this wonderful post and the great link to Ms. Westra’s blog. Am definitely checking it out. Take care
Aloha, and mahalo for the encouragement to give chess another try. . .i’ve been inspired…and on that same note, being an English teacher, I find myself preaching a similar message to my students. However we have quite a challenge as literacy is becoming much more intertwined with technology, as the younger generation requires much more instant gratification, visual stimulation, “bling, bling”, and the like. I have lots of questions about how the term “literacy” has evolved and what it will mean in as little as 20 years from now.
The books from my childhood that inspired me to read more were…
Childhood Books: Frog and Toad, Morris The Moose Goes To School, Miss Nelson Is Missing, Charlotte’s Web
Teen Years: Jane Erye, Family, Othello, Bluest Eye, The Black Cat, Rappaccini’s Daughter, Yellow Wallpaper, The Lottery, Beloved, Breakfast of Champions
This year, I don’t think I finished one. I read a lot of short stories, but haven’t read a good fiction or non-fiction book.
“Readers are Leaders” – love it! As a child I spent hours on end reading. In the middle of the night I would get up just to finish a book and read by flashlight. Often I read up to 4 books a day. I don’t read as much anymore…too busy but it is something I would really really really like to get back into! Definitely very mind stimulating
The ability to read is a crucial foundation for all forms of reasoning and communication. I’m grateful for my parents’ sacrifice in investing in my education.
Important books that I’ve read this year?
The Bible.
Mirror, Mirror by Rex Nettleford (A social and cultural analysis of Jamaica).
The Measure of A Man-A Spiritual Autobiography by Sidney Poitier.
Good To Great by Jim Collins
Jawanza Kunfunju is a great writer. Your post reminds me to go back to my bookshelf. Keep up the thought provoking and inspiring posts
Great post! Very relevant words and message. Readers are in fact leaders! Thank for providing that exmample.
What great ideas: “Readers are Leaders” and “Learners are Earners”. In the past 2 days I have had a couple of occasions to re-visit the Dr Seuss classic “The Lorax”.
This is the type of story that Leaders who are readers could use to help with their thinking on Growth at any Price and Climate Change.
I hope to add some comments to my blog soon.
I couldnt possibly tell you what was my favorite book growing up because I read so many. I mean, I recieved the 100 books read award like three times.
Today, I am still an avid reader, and while I dont reach 100 in a year, I have been through about thirty, maybe thirty-five.
The quotes were excellent. Readers are leaders.
Hi Manchild
Not only do I love your Name but your blog is very thought-provoking and wonderful.
My favorite book as a child were “Anne of Green Gables” and “Heidi” and as an adult they are so numerous that I would end up causing your eyes to blur from all the reading that you would do to get to the bottom of that list.
Ok – I’ll tell you two – “Auntie Mame” and “Chocolat.” There! LOL
Great minds think alike, Manchild. I posted about reading this week, also. I have NO idea what life would be like w/o reading. I am ever amazed that my ancestors were able to survive when some were illiterate…I am thankful for their sacrifices to get me here!
Freckle Juice by Judy Bloom, I wanted freckles so bad when i was younger… I thought about making the juice but my momma wouldn’t buy the ingredients for me… i’m glad she didn’t.