Reading, Writing, and Revolution
Flying Pigeon LA: Richard
Risemberg | March 23,
2016
The bicycle is proving itself as an instrument of gentle
revolution, helping to change not just how cities are used, but how they are
shaped. Bike lanes do more than facilitate low-impact travel; they enrichen
businesses and create community where before there was only stress, noise, and
smog. More and more people saddle up for city travel every day, often counting
on smartphone apps to help them make sense of this new old way of moving. The
revolution proceeds apace, and everyone, it seems, is joining in.
But…what if you can’t read?
So, you say, Why is Rick blithering on about all this on
a blog? If I’m reading it, that means I can read! Right?
That’s right. But…about one in five US residents can’t
read, and many more can’t read well enough to do anything except just get
by. Native-born people too!
That means that, unless you’re a hermit, you probably know
someone who can’t read, or who can barely read.
And I am blithering about all this because I’m now working
for the Los Angeles
Public Library’s Adult Literacy Program. So if you know someone who has
trouble with reading—they may have dropped out of school, they may have been
busted and thrown into juvie, they may have grown up in the backwoods; they may
be perfectly literate in some other language but not in English—refer them to
us.
They’ll receive one-on-one tutoring at no cost. Even the
workbooks and other materials will be free of charge. And after a while they’ll
be able to join the bigger world that exists behind the printed page.
And maybe themselves become the Thomas Paines of the Bicycle Revolution.
Call, or have your friend call, 213-228-7037. And if they
live in Echo Park, have them ask for Extension 70819, or just drop by the Echo Park branch. That’s where I sit, four days a week. I’ll help them
myself. READ MORE @
