It’s Not Just What You Know It’s What You Do With It”

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Good day everyone. I’ll be writing my thoughts on this week’s prompt: “Does literacy make a person better?”

At first, I would say yes it really does. Why do I say so? I remember back before I entered university, people used to call me all sorts of names. Words like “uneducated” were often thrown at me, even though I went through primary and secondary school like everyone else. No matter how hard I tried to stand out in a crowd, I was still labeled the same. It hurt. It felt like I wasn’t enough.

Now, fast forward I’m finally in school, and I’m almost done with my first program. I won’t lie, the view has changed a bit. Being in school helped me shift my perspective, especially about how people see me and how I see myself. That’s one reason why I believe literacy helps make someone a better person not just for the outside world, but for how you carry yourself inside.

But let’s go deeper: Does literacy always make someone better? Well, it depends on the angle you’re looking from. Some people are highly educated, knowledgeable, and well-spoken but still wicked at heart. They use what they know to manipulate, lie, or even hurt others. That’s when I realized, literacy alone doesn’t define a person’s character. Some take advantage of their literacy just to bring others down. So yes, literacy can help, but the heart matters more.

Now let’s talk about parenting and being a good neighbor. I believe literacy makes a big difference here. I’m talking about when a literate parent passes knowledge to their children. If a parent understands life, they’re more likely to raise children with better values and awareness. I have a friend whose parents never had access to formal education. They raised him the best way they knew how, but sometimes, their way involved shouting, using vulgar words, or even forcing him to hawk on the streets. Some of these behaviors stuck with him, and not in a good way. That’s what I mean literacy helps us become better parents. It opens our eyes to what we pass on to the next generation.

As for neighbors, being literate earns you respect in society. It helps guide others, especially those who weren’t lucky enough to go to school. I’ve heard of rich men who had all the money in the world but lacked education. In the end, someone who went to school helped manage their business and then slowly ran them into bankruptcy. That’s how dangerous illiteracy can be in some cases.

Now to the final question: Does being literate mean people will make fewer mistakes and hurt others less? Honestly, that one depends on the heart. Being literate doesn’t automatically make someone kind. I’ve seen educated people take revenge, use the law to destroy others, or scam and hack for their own gain. So again, it’s not just about what’s in your head it’s about what’s in your heart.

You can be a smart armed robber, a clever scammer, or a skilled hacker. All of them are literate in their own way but what are they using their knowledge for?

In the end, I believe literacy is a tool, and like any tool, it can be used for good or bad. It’s up to the person holding it. What matters most is not just what we know, but how we choose to use it.

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