We are a club and a non-profit group who aims not only to bring Anime and Manga to the community; but also use that to do good and combat illiteracy. Over the years literacy rates across the United States has been dropping. %50 of all unemployed between 16 and 21 are functionally illiterate. Some recent claims from the DOE claimed that 79% of all American adults were literate. But then admitted that 54% of adults cannot read at a 6th grade level. Is that what we want? People who cannot read anything higher then a Elementary School Books? If that's what passes for literate it means 54% of the country is living day to day making contracts for renting, for services, for bills, for credit cards, for driving, for EVERYTHING without knowing or understanding what they're agreeing too. This isn't okay.
When many of us where kids in the 90's and early 2000's remember the plethora of programs put in to push us and bribe us to read. Now many of those programs are gone. We could find no Scholastic Bookfair in Maryville. While some corporations still offer promotions, local franchises don't necessarily participate in them. Of ones that do participate they have high requirements leaving those who are illiterate or struggling behind. Chuck E Cheese no longer uses tokens, and while they do have a point system, they as well as AppleBee's require food purchases or memberships to get any rewards. Others require straight A report cards to get any kind of treat. Leaving not only the academically struggling but also the financially struggling behind. Chick Fil A, Krispy Kreme, McDonalds, Cold Stone, if you manage to find a participating location, all only reward for perfect scores. Even of those that do participate its almost as if they attempt to hide it and not let anyone know lest anyone actually bring in a report card. Are there ANY banks that still participate in the $1 per A / $.50 per B program?
Its not only easier but far more common to get something on your birthday these days and that's honestly a tragedy. We need to get back to promoting everyone to excel, and literacy is step one in that process.
We do our best to combat this by providing exciting stories to Libraries, School Clubs, Anime Clubs, and Little Libraries across East TN to get people interested in reading. The more someone reads, the better they get at it. Comics and Manga are a great way to get that ball rolling. We try to give out as many as we possibly can, that's why we offer discounts all the way up to free admission to any of our event when you bring in your old comics and manga. You get free entry to an event, and you get to go home happy knowing your old unwanted Comics and Manga will receive a new home and help someone get into reading.
Ultimately as we grow its our goal to create a program of rewards and celebrations for meeting literacy benchmarks. So whether you're here because you believe in our cause, or if you just like anime and conventions, we appreciate you joining us.
Literacy Stats from:
- DOE (Department of Education)
- NAAL (National Assessment of Adult Literacy)
- PIAAC (Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competency)
- NCES (National Center for Education Statistics)
