Become educated

Most of us assume we are educated if we have a high school diploma or a college degree. But that is not necessarily the case. Those of us with a college degree may have become educated in one particular topic. Others may not have gone that far.

When I say "become educated," I refer to becoming better able to grasp complex concepts. So "becoming educated" will mean something different for each person.

For myself, I have found a renewed appreciation for classical literature this summer. I have read Dante's 'Inferno,' 'Farenheit 451' by Ray Bradbury, and 'Frankenstein.' Did you know that Frankenstein was written by a woman? Mary Shelley published the book in 1818 when she was just 20 years old.

For me, my educational gap lies in cultural history, so I benefit from becoming educated by reading historical literature. But some of you may benefit from reading informational books at the library or finding helpful websites. There is a section of the library with informational texts on a variety of topics: how to paint designer nails, how to re-organize your closet, and so on.

Perhaps if we read a wide variety, we will become better able to hear each other and have more interesting and engaging conversation. It can't hurt to try!

History.com Editors. (2019, Dec. 30). Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" is published. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/frankenstein-published