The invisible problem of low literacy in Canada > Everyone deserves to read and write Cazzy Lewchuk Opinions Editor Lee is defined as the ability to read and write in one’s native or primary language of instruction. In an expanded definition, it is the ability to utilize information received from text, and to consciously learn from and apply the knowledge gained from reading. Currently, over 12 million Canadian adults experience low levels of literacy. The number is expected to go up to 15 million over the next 15 years, due to population growth and the rising levels of immigrants and seniors. Low literacy is not the same thing as illiteracy. To be illiterate is to not have the ability to read and write. To be illiterate is even more difficult, and a much more serious problem. While common around the world in areas with lower levels of education, few Canadians are fully illiterate. Nevertheless, there are still too many illiterate adults in our society. Illiteracy is sometimes easier to treat than low literacy, as most people can be taught a basic level of reading and writing. The stigma is a particular factor here, because few people want to admit that they are not able to do a task learned in elementary school. Some go their whole lives hiding their low literacy. Many factors cause low literacy levels, and by far the most important is education. The majority of the education system is based on learning and retaining information. It is difficult to gain a diploma and conquer the school system without using literacy skills. [literacy can be turned into low literacy, and low levels of literacy can become high levels through education. Education levels and socioeconomic status affect literacy rates. Immigrants and senior citizens are the most likely to report low levels of literacy. Also at risk are visible minorities, people with How Donald Trump's presence has done some societal good > World’s worst person at least gets conversation going Cazzy Lewchuk Opinions Editor ve been writing about Donald Trump for a year now. It was around a year ago that he was no longer just the rich reality star, he was someone seriously considered as a presidential candidate. The idea was outrageous, terrifying, and even a little hilarious. It was only a year ago I wrote a Facebook rant detailing why electoral results would mean that Trump would not receive a party nomination. Sometimes, things just don’t go how you'd expect. One year can make a big difference. Today, things are basically the worst- case scenario, and it seems to only be getting more disturbing. Seriously, I pray that no nuclear bombs get launched before this article gets published. One of the most incompetent people alive is doing unbelievable damage to his country and the wider world. Among all of Trump’s disgusting and unprofessional behaviours, the one that really stands out was his confession to committing sexual assault. He was caught bragging on a 2006 tape about how being a celebrity around women meant “you can do anything ... [even] grab her by the pussy.” Although he claimed he was joking, over a dozen women confirmed he really did grope them like the disgusting pig he is. Shockingly, millions of Americans voted for him anyway because they didn’t believe or simply didn’t care about his victims. I think sex offenders (Trump has been accused of full-on rape by multiple people) are some of the lowest of the low in society, and it’s a struggle to say that a sexual predator becoming the president is good in any way. But this infamous confession served as a reminder to society that powerful people can and do abuse others. Rape culture and the excused behaviour of people who prey on those who hold less power than them is not discussed nearly enough in society. The first step towards discouraging and eliminating the practice is to talk about it. Many who had never thought about it before now hopefully think: “Wait a minute, grabbing women by their genitals without their consent is wrong. Why does the president get away with it? How many other people get away with it?” Trump’s political ideology has spread worldwide, with far-right/nationalist candidates and parties attempting to gain mainstream power in Canada and Europe. There is always going to bea group of people who supports these ideas, which is horrible, but exposing the dangers and problems of this ideology can only begin by recognizing that they exist in the first place. Proposing a ban on Muslims is a human-rights abuse, but it did cause many of us to take a look and say “Why do so many people support banning Muslims?” It allows us to become more understanding and critical of Islamophobia and the challenges Muslims—particularly disabilities, and those with low-incomes. Poverty is a particularly damaging factor, as it creates a cycle; low income causes poor education, and poor education contributes to low income. While marginalized groups are the most affected, the problem affects all demographics. Two out of five high school graduates— and one in five university graduates—in Canada have low literacy levels, as do over half of Canada’s immigrants (regardless of education level). Canada is regarded as a country with an exceptionally high quality of life. We are among the top 20 best economies and have some of the longest life expectancies and highest education rates. This country fails its citizens if they can live such a modern life, yet cannot comprehend written information at an acceptable level. The costs of education have never been higher, but the amount of Canadians who can’t read a complex novel or do their own taxes is growing in number as well. In the long run, that will be a much larger cost to our society. 2 2 U Ss > ° < wv c Oo o o vy wn refugees—face in Western society. It opens a discussion of xenophobia, the value immigrants have to society, and open vs. secure borders in a globalized world. Many people cannot and will not support what Trump stands for, and to suggest that his presence does more good than bad is just plain wrong. Until this man is impeached, things are probably going to get a lot worse before they begin getting any better. However, sometimes we need a push in the wrong direction to eventually put us in the right one. The Donald’s regime is the opposite of progressive. Perhaps it is through learning from his actions that the world will ultimately learn what is wrong.