The Human Cost of an Illiterate Society

          In the article "The Human Cost of an Illiterate society", Jonathan Kozol explains how people who are unable to read have problems with everyday situations. Those who are unable to read have problems with the simplest situations. Illiterate parents are unable to read to their children. If parents are unable to read a simple 5 year old book, they are certainly unable to read any kind of complicated documents, such as bills or contracts. Even jobs that dont require education do require reading skills. The reason that uneducated jobs require reading skills is for the employee to follow directions. Reading is very important, reading comes in handy when going to the store or when trying to read directions. Reading is very important even when someones life is in danger. For example when someone calls for an ambulance the first question asked is your location, being able to read the street name is the key to help the ambulance find your location. Kozol is trying to communicate that reading is the key for everyday life.
          The article "The Human Cost of an Illiterate society" was very interesting. It made me understand that reading is very important. I honestly didn't see reading as all that important. Maybe because I am able to read i was unaware that illiterates have it rough everyday, even when doing the grocery shopping. My parents are not very good readers, but are still able to read streets and signs. Kozol's article informed me that illiterates will always have problems with the simplest everyday tasks.