To Read or Not to Read...


Reading and writing are essential in every day in age; to retell history, to establish rules, to maintain organization, and to entertain. As we look over ancient times, one of the qualifications of an ancient civilization was a method to read or write. No matter the culture, language, or age, people need to read and write. Prior to common education, the rich were able to read and write. Those in poverty were forced to work common jobs and not focus on education. Now that we do have a common education, people of all social classes can read and write in most areas. African Americans are a part of that group, especially in areas of the US, UK, and Canada. Though often oppressed throughout history, we have a method to tell our story...It's just a matter of taking the time to express it. Here are some statistics on Black authors and writers.

 

  • 2020 was the first year in US history with over 10,000 Black authors officially registered in the government database.

  • As of 2020, over 12% of the American workforce is Black, while at the same time, only 6.28% of US authors are Black.[1]       

  • Black or African American authors have increased by 0.87% since 2010 and currently represent 5.93%.

  • As of 2021, 50.45% of US authors are women and 49.55% of US authors are men.

  • Authors that predominantly write with the genres of Mystery/Thriller make up 40% of the top 20 authors listed by their net worth. Romance authors make up 25% and Fantasy authors make up 15%. [2]

 

Reading opens the mind to another world that is not our own. Whether that world is the past, the present, the future, fantasy-like, romantic, and even just someone else's world. We always wonder what it may be like to live in another persons shoes. It is often entertainment to discuss what you and others would do in their shoes. Reading helps to grow the mind, especially with self-help or moticational books. Not only to keep you active but to create new pathways of understanding and knowledge of this world. Though it doesn't always have to be something serious like motivational, historical, self-help, or even financial, reading can still help to give the mind an escape. Every book is an experience, and often times, the entertainment we know now is just an idea that someone wrote down and later expressed. There is joy in expressing oneself through writing.

 

African American writers are writing more than ever before and I'm sure our ancestors would want us to write even more. There is a correlation of reading and writing that African Americans can utilize in many ways. Whether for entertainment or professional purposes. There are famous writers like Shonda Rhimes and Tyler Perry who are known for Black entertainment. There are inspirational writers like Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey who inspire us to want and create more for ourselves. There are also poetic writers like Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison who combine their wisdom with writing to make us think and evolve. All of these people read and write to express their words so they may inspire us to write. Even without a big purpose, being known as a best-seller, or being very inspirational, a story expressed can still be a blessing to someone else. 

Sources:  

 [1] Source: https://wordsrated.com/black-authors-statistics/#:~:text=How%20many%20Black%20authors%20are,registered%20in%20the%20government%20database. [2]   https://wordsrated.com/author-statistics/

 

 

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” 

Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
 

 

 

Your Story

A person who is a reader will often become a writer. 

Everyone Loves to read. 

Because an idea, once expressed, becomes entertainment

A movie, A play, A skit

And those often have to be written first

The thoughts of human minds expressed can be anything

 Comical, Romantic, Satirical, even Motivational

Bridge the Gap to inspire minds

Though I happen to be a Black woman and, of course, inspire those like me to Read and Write

Anyone can write a story that they have in their mind

It is fulfilling and can leave a legacy you will never forget.