What is black and white and read all over? A newspaper-Not! Seriously, when was the last time any of you actually read a newspaper when it wasn't a class assignment?
Most students had an opinion about who they wanted to win the presidential election, but how many reached that opinion by reading a newspaper?
I wonder how many of the kids gracing the halls of MHS are reading anything outside of what is required by their English teachers, if they are even reading that much?
I have never understood why the whole class groans when a teacher assigns a new book to read or why I always see people bragging about hating reading on their MySpace or FaceBook accounts.
I don't understand why people look at me like I'm crazy when I pull a book or political magazine out of my purse to read strictly for recreational purposes.
From what I have seen, most teenagers today seem to associate reading with work, which shouldn't be the case.
The sad fact is that most teens do not read for fun, to gather information or for personal growth and in my opinion, these non-reader's lives are all the worse for it.
Non-readers are doomed to live unimaginative lives, because non-readers passively allow their thoughts and views to be spoon-fed to them by MTV, Comedy Central and mouthy seemingly cool (and possibly equally uninformed) celebrities.
I'm not going to start blaming television, internet or video games for why teenagers today don't read as much. Yes, these activities certainly are a distraction but I enjoy these things myself (minus the videogames), yet I still read all the time. I don't blame the distractions, I blame the people. Our generation is so lazy and self-centered; most seem to not care about their education or about expanding their minds. This behavior is leading to a country filled with uneducated people who believe it is cool to brag about how they "don't read."
Imagine for one moment (I realize that this could be hard because this must be done without popping a disc in to an X-Box 360) that you are reading a story in a book...with no pictures! You are actually absorbing the information into your mind and when you do this, it is up to you to conjure up an image of everything that happens without the assistance of a Disney animation. Whoa, intense! Right?
Is it really that hard to believe that you can enjoy a good story without renting it from the Reel Hollywood Video? Many of you have done it before!
Not too long ago there was once that brief, shining moment in the world of literature where readers and non-readers alike became absorbed in J.K. Rowling's world of wizards and Hogwarts and everyone was fascinated by the life of a wizard named Harry.
You can experience that same thrill reading another book as well! What the heck, go for the ultimate experience and read several books! Make it a habit.
If more teens took the time to read, I not only think they would realize they enjoy it but I also believe a simple commitment to reading would result in a smarter, more successful society filled with educated individuals.
This in turn would eventually lead us to having a stronger, more successful and overall better country.
I challenge each and every MHS student to discover (or rediscover) the power of the written word. I will leave you with the words of the great philosopher Confucius: "No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance."