MY ESSENTIAL QUESTION
How do writers integrate into societies of the past and future, and how can they defend their roles against an apathetic world?
THE ISSUEAs I've grown older and progressed through more advanced levels of education, I've noticed with the world of reading from the time they begin to babble in their own unique language. Everywhere there are programs that claim to teach your child how to become an adapt reader by the age of two, and how to write short stories before they ever enroll in kindergarten. The emphasis on reading, imagination, and a general degree of literacy is so present and bold in our early years of childhood, but exactly when and why did we begin to ease off of the gas pedal?
This encouragement to read and write still appears to be deeply ingrained into the mind of young children, and as a result has formulated a long-standing enthusiasm for the written word in their hearts; however, the opposite seems to be true for adolescents. While it is true that thousands of teenagers in my community alone identify themselves as avid readers, they are easily outnumbered by the overwhelming amount of students that view the world of literature and its very potential with distaste. Even amongst more advanced students, whom are expected by their teachers to engage in a higher velocity of reading in order to support the foundations of their studies, as well as to develop an adequate vocabulary, seem to bear some degree of dislike for English, whether it be fiction or non-fiction. This sense of apathy (and at times active displeasure) within the evolving generation has seemed to bring about a controversial issue: in a world that revolves so much around technological advancement, why even bother teaching students the values that accompany a rich knowledge of literature and writing? As a young woman that considers herself an ardent and active member of the writing community, I am often demotivated by my peers and my teachers. The general population seems so set on convincing young people to shy away from any professions pertaining to the humanities for the sake of "making more money" or something that involves "real talent and intelligence." Left and right I find articles that claim that an English or Writing major are almost entirely useless degrees, and that journalists and novelists are on the bottom of the totem pole in the context of overall contributions to society. After years of witnessing this oppression of writers, journalists, and other creative thinkers, I felt that it was time to point out the major flaws in the fight against literature. |
THE GOALI selected this question(s) because I’ve noticed a significant backlash from the people of my generation anytime I mention my desire to become a writer. Students seem to lack appreciation for writing, reading and any element of literature, with many of them claiming that writing is both useless and boring. Adults have not been much different, but they focus more on what they believe is “best for me.” They do not find financial promise in my future career and doubt my potential without ever viewing my talent with their own eyes.
For these reasons, I’ve always been curious as to why today’s society pays so little mind to the world of literature. I want to make people realize that without writing, education would be a lost cause. People seem to forget that at one time, learning to read and write was a privilege reserved for the more fortunate. I’m eager to discover and prove that writers play a pivotal role in both our history and our future, and is a key component to ensuring steady growth around the world. I truly believe that without writers, the world would look vastly different than it does today, and there would be a significant hindrance on our ability to evolve. I hope to find the answers to the questions I’ve had for years through this project, and I can’t wait to instill a new enthusiasm for reading and writing in my peers. |