Reading and Education – How Much do Black People Spend?

The 2020 Consumer Expenditure Surveys revealed some troubling information about where blacks are spending their money. Particularly, in the areas of reading and education. The survey was conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It contained consumer data across demographics. Feel free to download a copy here.

The survey showed the share of the overall expenditures on reading and education. Blacks made up 8 percent of the aggregate spending on reading. In addition, black consumers made up 8.1 percent of the aggregate spending on education. However, those numbers were low when compared to the black percent distribution of consumer units at 13.2 percent.

I read a quote once that said, “The best way to hide something from a negro is to put it in a book” (Malcolm X). I always thought of it as a bit blunt. And, maybe not entirely accurate. But, then again, maybe Malcolm was right. The numbers in the survey would suggest so.

We have to ask why, as a collective, we don’t put more of our money into reading and education. Furthermore, we need to stress the importance of doing so. In this post, we take a look at how much blacks are spending on reading and education. And, some of the concerns of not doing so.

Black Reading and Education

There’s no doubt that we live in a complicated world. To thrive, we must possess the ability to comprehend the workings around us and to think critically. Blacks in America are behind in many different areas of society to include finance. We need to catch up. Reading and education provide the “one-two punch” to help us do that.

First, reading helps us to develop inference, deduction, and comprehension skills. All three have proven to be invaluable in the modern world. Next, education helps us to add more knowledge, teach it, and share it with others. Both, working in tandem, has to result in members of the black community that can contribute on a higher level. The table below shows the results of the consumer surveys in these categories.

U.S. Black Annual Aggregate Reading & Education Expenditures (2020)

Reading

So, why is reading so important to blacks (especially children) in the first place? Well, for one, emphasizing reading helps develop higher levels of focus and concentration. And, unlike television, it forces the reader to sort things out in their own mind. By forming pictures and making connections in their mind, the reader literally increases their capacity to think.

I’m reminded of an old saying, “knowing is half the battle”. Basically, it was saying that knowledge was the most vital step towards achieving or attaining something. It can all start with something as simple as picking up a book. Here are six things reading a book can do for the reader;

• Reduce stress and aid relaxation
• Improve concentration and memory
• Expand vocabulary expansion
• Strengthens writing abilities
• Enhance knowledge
• Increase imagination and creativity

Stress Reduction

Obviously, stress affects us mentally but it has a big impact on us physically too. It’s a fact that white people in America, on average, live longer than blacks. I’m sure that stress plays a part in that. Shouldn’t we do something about that?

In a nutshell, stress reduction methods like reading are one of the simplest ways release stress. Basically it’s something that we can do in most of our free time no matter where we are. I’m sure that you would agree that black people experience some unique forms of stress by simply being black. If you doubt that, just watch the news or visit social media. Then, see how you feel about it afterwards.

Why not use every tool available to help deal with the stress?

Concentration and Memory

Both concentration and memory are essential in dealing with a complicated world. Basically, concentration is directing your mental powers or efforts. Directing them towards a particular activity, subject, or problem. Memory, on the other hand, is the ability to remember things. Things like information, experiences, and people. Both are important to success. Both help us reach our goals. Reading helps to improve both of them.

Expanding the Vocabulary

How often do you hear black people speak and purposely butcher the language? In the end, we are setting ourselves back when we do that. We can come up with a million excuses for it. We can try to make it seem like a good thing. But it’s not, and most of us already know that. However, most of us are afraid to address it. We don’t want to be labeled the enemy.

Why is this important? Because a strong vocabulary improves all areas of communication — listening, speaking, reading and writing. A bigger vocabulary is directly related to higher achievement in school. In fact, the size of a child’s vocabulary in kindergarten predicts their ability to learn to read. With that in mind, why on earth would we NOT do everything we can to improve it?

Enhancing Knowledge

When we use our brain the right way, it actually has the ability to reorganize itself. It forms new connections between brain cells (neurons). As a result, we can adapt more quickly to change. Furthermore, it increases our brain’s capacity for memory and knowledge. You know, all the things we use to make fun of “nerds” for doing.

Increased Imagination and Creativity

Reading a book helps is activate our creativity and imagination. First, our imagination begins to deal with those “unreal” thoughts. The ones that aren’t confined by reality. Then, our creativity allows us to create something in the real world. We can take things from the intangible to the real. That is our nature. We are creators. Ultimately, they are both powerful aspects of our being. Why not enhance them with a good book?

Education

Simply put, the common definition of education is both the act of teaching and receiving knowledge. It refers to the knowledge we receive through school or from other forms of instruction. In contrast, the etymology of the word gives us a different definition. The root word for education is the latin verb “Educos” which means “to educate, draw out or develop from within.” So, in reality, a truly educated person is one who develops what’s already within them. They develop the faculties of their mind to acquire whatever it is they aim to achieve.

Education comes in one of three forms; formal education, informal education, and non-formal education.

Formal Education

Also known as formal learning, this type of learning usually takes place on school grounds. Essentially, it is formalized basic academic knowledge from elementary through college. Both teacher and student are aware of the facts and engage throughout the process. Examples include; classroom learning, Institute grading/certification, or planned education of different subjects.

Here are 4 basic traits of formal education;

• Follows a particular structure of delivery
• Highly planned and deliberate
• Chronological and systematic
• Subject-oriented and time-bound

Informal Education

In contrast to formal education, informal education takes place outside the classroom. It’s often between parent and child. For example, like learning to cook or ride a bike. Additionally, we can get informal education through books or educational websites. It’s not delivered in schools through what some would consider a “proper” learning method. It often happens at random times. And, it often takes place in the form of simple observation.

Here are 6 basic traits of informal education;

• Independent form of study with no definite syllabus
• Not preplanned and does not have a proper timetable
• An experience that is gained through practice
• It does not require a fee payment all the time
• A lifelong process in a natural way
• There are no certificates or degrees involved

Non-Formal Education

This last type of education usually refers to adult basic education. Adult literacy education is another example. Skill development is an example as well. It often comes in different forms, which are provided in a consistent and systematic way. The goal is to develop a particular skill or ability in an individual.

Non-formal education is highly flexible. It also includes a wide range of activities. Some good examples are fitness programs or community-based adult education courses. Free courses on different internet platforms are a great example as well.

Here are 7 basic traits of non-formal education;

• Takes place outside of the traditional school education system 
• Highly flexible and adjustable
• Generally no age limit to gain this type of education
• May or may not involve certificates or fees
• Can be either part-time or full-time or as a profession
• Includes both theoretical and practical education 

Spending Money on Reading and Education

We live in a time where it’s easy to get information for free. Just look at the way most content delivery is structured nowadays. Once upon a time, you had to at least put forth some effort to get the info. Now, you can just pull it up on your cell phone or computer.

Most content delivery platforms like websites and Youtube are free to use. They’re monetized by ads so the advertisers pay the costs instead of the user. To be blunt, it’s made it more difficult to recognize the value of knowledge. But, as the saying goes, knowledge is power. Or, at least, potential power. And, some of it can’t be had for free.

You can’t become a doctor or lawyer without paying a toll. The same goes for a lot of jobs in many fields. As the saying goes, “you have to pay the cost to be the boss.” We’re doing it in the black community. But, as with anything else, we can do better. This entire post was about the benefits of reading and education. I say it’s worth the investment.

Peace and Blessings!