Listen to Your Eyes

By Franny Hill

Listen to Your Eyes is a book that explores the critical nature of achieving literacy. I was amazed to uncover some of the information in this book. It made everything make sense in my life at the moment I put the pen to paper. My education served me well with this work, and it left me feeling like my best days are in front of me. Someday, I will commence with my masters degree with all the confidence I need to thrive in a career as a mental health professional. I was focused on using general, easy-to-understand terminology that would appeal to anyone seeking to improve their thinking capacity. Listen to Your Eyes will make reading enjoyable with its sense of commonality and relativity to your own ideas about that old phrase Pick up a book. Have a seat and let your mind be in charge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781514411087

Franny Hill

I grew up in Union, New Jersey, where I attended public schools, resulting in graduation from Union High School in 1983. I have lived with a diagnosis of schizophrenia for a portion of my life after graduation. I have achieved an associate’s degree in psychosocial rehabilitation with honors in 2014 from UCC and Rutgers. I lead a very recovery-oriented lifestyle that is full of spontaneity and discovery. I am an uncle of three nieces and a grand nephew that are the joy of my life. My life has improved since I have returned to school. My illness almost robbed me of my dreams. “Listen to Your Eyes” is my second book that speaks to all dreamers and achievers. Let nothing stand against you for your destiny.

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Copyright © 2015 by Franny Hill.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Rev. date: 09/28/2015

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Foreword

I Overview: The Story of Doper

II Is There A Block To Literacy?

III Censorship: An Enemy to Literacy

IV Who Needs the Help?

V It Has To Last

VI We Can Do More

VII Who Will Help?

References

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to the untimely memory of the man who helped make it a reality. For, LAWRENCE ALFORD, SR., the LORD has come to take him home. He went to sleep and he took flight…

INTERMENT

July 9, 2009

FOREWORD

My book, Listen To Your Eyes; is a synthesis of the research on the present view of literacy amongst the citizens of the United States. For much of the twentieth century, America has competed on a global scale pertaining to literacy. We have heard how as a nation we do not measure up to the other developed nations such as Switzerland, Japan, and Europe. All scored higher than we did when the auditing processes were examined. America has enjoyed much prosperity over the years at the cost of underrepresented individuals feeling excluded and devalued. Here we will look at the need for literacy improvement in the context of post-compensatory education.

Many people would say that it takes legislation to correct civic problems such as illiteracy. However, we are talking about a basic human right that; makes it possible for us enact change by applying the right itself. Literacy can correct illiteracy by such skills as motivational interviewing, community service, and tutoring. In addition, we can enact an all-inclusive educational standard that whether community disparages and cuts in service. For example, a three alarm fire is diminished by fire fighters from a peripheral engine house instead of the local engine house due to the need for more powerful equipment. Also, the firefighters were trained in social matters like housing, food outreach, and prevention. Literacy can determine how well we are able to respond to crisis and the manner of that response. The best resource against the lack of literacy is an individual or group who can instruct others on how to become literate. Laws and legislation cost a lot of money and I believe that; free commerce proponents are willing to sponsor those who are capable provided, there exist an established program administered by qualified professionals and volunteers. Sounds good then, let’s move on…

CHAPTER I

Overview: The Story of Doper

It all began with his first trip to a different town. He had a head full of hair while his eyes soaked up all the sights and sounds of the trip. Doper, was about to experience his first haircut. I am Doper, he thought yet; he did not know what the strange word meant. He was only going to be four at his next birthday. Understanding was very important for Doper. He would recall the times he was made to sit alone or having his hand smacked for lack of agreement. He did not rebel against authority subsequently; he was always trying to avoid consequences. They finally arrived at the barber shop which made Doper go from, smile to vile. He broke out in tears and tantrums so, his uncle turned the car around to return home. Doper continued his rampage with great intensity. He had no way of knowing what awaited him at home.

Doper ran up the stairs like he had just awakened from a nightmare. However, the tears he thought would lead to open arms; gave way to a set of clippers and an angry father, who had just finished his lunch. This was turning out to be a Saturday he wanted to forget father. He understood what his father intended to do. The thought of removing his afro made him as bleak as a dog that lost his bone. Surprisingly, Doper sat down quietly and watched his beautiful crown fall into his lap. While his father authoritatively sheered his hair, Doper began to piece the puzzle together. He remembered that; Sunday school started tomorrow and he wanted to be ready. He thought about the girls, cookies, and punch his mother told him they would serve. When he was all groomed and neat, his mother showed him a baby picture of himself. He was two and a half with short hair wearing a smile as bright as a fall moon. He began to smile as he realized he was able to understand what had just transpired. He asked his mother if there would be anyone who would read to him. Doper knew that reading was a gift that; someday, he wanted to be able to call his own.

It became clear to Doper that; Doper was a nickname he was given somewhere by one of his father’s people. What he remembered was the nights he would have to leave his house, in the middle of the night; to avoid the police. Doper continued to attend Sunday school every week. After his fourth birthday, he really turned his attention to learning how to read and write. He was an industrious young boy filled with ambition every day. Doper sat up front in Sunday school; he wanted to hear every word the teacher said. He knew some day that his eyes would be able to do the magic thing he called read-out-loud. Doper’s ambition would not go unchallenged. He had a younger brother who seemed more interested in playing than learning. As the school year approached, reading became more of a duty to Doper than to his brother. He did not want his brother to be left back so, he acted out on clever little ways to get his brother to play with books. He showed his brother how to open and close a book by stacking them on the floor. Together, they played with the books as though, they were building blocks. He discovered that his brother may not have the same enthusiasm for learning as himself. Furthermore, he wanted to see his brother play as much as he liked. Doper was aware of his thirst for words and acceptance. He looked forward to making new friends. He soon would embark on a journey that would take his imagination in a whole new direction.

Doper was entering kindergarten. He grew somewhat annoyed at how all he seemed to do was play. He thought there would be more books and paper. He often felt alone while class was in session. He was considered a bright child. He learned early how to recognize his name. The teacher called on him repeatedly until; one of the other students hit Doper on the head in the closet. Doper was young African American male and so was the other boy. This altercation tested Doper’s ability to resolve conflict without be chided by the other students. Immediately, the boys began to line up to test Doper’s courage. Under normal circumstances the children were separated when there were fights during class. Doper was encouraged by his mother to use his mind more than his might. The girls smiled more at him than the other boys. Doper had a way with words even before he learned how to read a book from cover to cover. Doper was undaunted by the rejection of his peers. His teacher reminded him to do like his parents had told him—be yourself. He knew that he was different than the other boys. Doper also had a grin on his face. He knew that these boys would want to be more like him. They known that the other boy wanted to kiss him. It was odd how Doper attracted the interest of boys who were in the closet. All this attention although negative, made an impression on Doper. He knew that he could not allow himself to be bullied into fighting.

Doper made a name for himself through obedience just as he was taught in Sunday school. Doper did not know his Sunday school training would help him in school. He soon was talking about school at church and vice versa. He was becoming more confident with doing what was right especially obeying his parents. He really tried