Opinion: Literacy Crisis

When I originally had the idea for this article, it was in the wake of viewing“Wuthering Heights.” Because of Emerald Fennell’s interpretation of the novel, and viewers' subsequent reactions, I jokingly remarked that we are in the midst of a literacy crisis. Upon further research, I was not surprised to find out we are, in fact, amidst a literacy crisis. 

In September of 2025, The Harvard Gazette released an article alongside a podcast episode on “Harvard Thinking”, discussing today’s literacy crisis. They discuss how educators’ main focus on reading programs is on K-3rd grade, but this lets children who struggle with reading in upper grades slip through the cracks. Many people blame COVID for the decline in literacy rates, but according to Harvard academic dean Martin West, this decline has been happening far longer than we think. In the podcast, Pamela Mason, co-chair of the Teaching and Teacher Leadership Program at HGSE, asks an important question: “We are telling our students reading is important. You need to be literate. But when do we actually model that?”

This question really stood out to me. Growing up, my mom would read to me every night, and I give her full credit for my love of reading. She always talked about how my pediatrician would emphasize the importance of reading to children when they’re young. Because of the effort my mom made, I grew up not only loving to read but also to pursue a degree in English. I say this all to emphasize that I value reading not only as a skill but as a fulfilling hobby I believe everyone can benefit from. Reading and writing are how we as humans have exchanged ideas across countries for as long as we have been able to circulate information. 

I am deeply saddened by the fact that more children and adults are falling off the reading track. Not only does reading help people learn, but it’s the first step in developing skills such as analysis, vocabulary, critical thinking, and more. Because of this, the exchange of ideas is weakened by the inability to read and critically understand information. Not only does art suffer from this (consider the increasingly vapid book-to-movie adaptations being produced today), but it is also incredibly dangerous in today's political climate. So, go pick up your favorite book and take advantage of your ability to read.

By Grayson Morris, EIC