Entry 1 What is literacy, Anyway?

 To me, literacy is the written and spoken ways that we communicate and share ideas. Literacy allows us to understand not only the perspectives of others but how they think and put them into words. If we did not have literacy we would not be able to read or write or do something as simple as write our names, our society heavily depends on the ability to read and write and some could argue it is necessary for survival. A literate person is someone who is proficient in their language and can read and write. This person can communicate their needs and wants to others and understand complex written texts. I believe that the ideas that I have about literacy were developed based on the education that I received growing up and the philosophies of the school district that I was in as well as the influence of my parents and teachers. My mother worked in education and always strongly encouraged me to read and write stories while I was younger and showed me that reading and writing were both enjoyable and essential to my learning. I was always taught that it was extremely important to be literate and be able to read and write by my grandparents as well who came to America from Italy and had parents who neither spoke or read English, and they had to teach their parents how to speak and read English after attending elementary school in the United States. Those who were influential in shaping my ideas about literacy were my teachers and administrators, as well as my parents and elder family members. My brother would always go over spelling with me and read books with me when I was younger as well. I believe that I am a literate person based on the society that I live in and the level of education that I possess. I can read and write in the English language proficiently and effectively. I always did well with reading and writing throughout my middle and high school experiences and was even recognized at my high school when I wrote an essay as well as my college essay. I have always had a passion for reading and writing and excelled in those areas, which solidifies my belief that I am literate and proficient in the English language.