Literacy in the 21st Century

Literacy is an important aspect in the 21st Century, and actually throughout American history in general. It used to be that only white, literate men could vote, which is very similar to today’s world. In the 21st Century, it is hard for illiterate people to participate in society. Of course, the way we define literate today is quite different from the way it was defined in history. Today, to be literate, a person has to be savvy with not just reading, but with technology too. Technology is everywhere in 21st Century society; it is in the workplace, schools, and homes. For a member of society to be productive, they must be literate with the technology as well as basic math and reading skills. Jobs are determined by how literate a person is with certain technology, students’ educations depend on being literate with certain technology, and even leisurely activities depend on being technologically literate. A progressive society and literacy go hand in hand, always have, and always will. It is important for individuals to be literate in order to survive in the 21st Century, and not just with reading anymore. If a person is not literate, they get left in the dust of society.