The United States is Literally Littered with Illiteracy, a problem that impedes the flourishing of citizens within a community. Currently, 43 million American adults fall into the illiterate category. The same percentage of high school graduates and fourth graders read below grade level, and the United States lags behind the averages of Japan, all Scandinavian countries, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom.
In fact, literacy rates are relatively low in the United States, averaging less than 4 percent in the 1930s. But illiteracy was widespread in the late 19th century. In 1870, eighty percent of black people were illiterate. By 1900, rates had risen slightly, with 44 percent of blacks illiterate. Sadly, many of the world's poorest countries are not well-positioned to prevent illiteracy, but the United States has shown progress.
While illiteracy is often considered a physical lack of the ability to read or write, it also refers to the lack of knowledge in a specific area. The definition of illiteracy can be a wide one, as it can encompass a range of personal and professional issues. Some people do not realize their own limitations are due to illiteracy, and it's important to make a conscious effort to overcome these problems.