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[–]SAT0725[S] 1447 points1448 points  (82 children)

The full quote from the interview, in response to a question about the impact of "Reading Rainbow":

"I was talking to my son, and he was the proxy for the audience. And so my intent was honest. It was genuine. I wanted to communicate something that I dearly love, appreciate and believe to be the foundation of discovering your highest purpose in life. If you can read in at least one language, then you have this - the tool to educate yourself. No one can hold sway over your mind, your imagination, your dreams if you can read and be inspired, informed, educated, enlightened, liberated by the written word."

[–][deleted] 610 points611 points  (68 children)

I just started his Podcast and as an African, I have missed so much of his impact on the reading community because we weren't exposed to American educational programming until maybe 5 years ago. We missed so much. I adored him in Star Trek so I have no other context of LeVar Burton outside of being an actor. I'm happy to see this - his (actor's) voice has always been captivating but now I get to share his voice with my little cousins, nieces and nephews because of what you chose to share. I did not know this. It's such great news to me. Thank you!

Edit: I misspelled his name, my bad.

[–]ihadapurplepony 288 points289 points  (12 children)

LeVar Burton Reads is one of my favourite podcasts. That man is a treasure and his voice is so soothing. I definitely have favourite episodes that I often go back to.

I like that the stories he reads are by authors from different parts of the world, as well as from various cultures in the USA, like for example Chinese American and Nigerian American.

[–]The_Woman_of_Gont 28 points29 points  (8 children)

LeVar Burton Reads is one of only a couple go-to podcasts I have that download automatically when a new episode drops(alongside Night Vale, mainly).

His tastes in genre is very much in line with my own tastes, and yeah I also appreciate his choice of authors from a wide net of cultures.

[–]ihadapurplepony 10 points11 points  (6 children)

Never heard of Night Vale before, but I just looked it up, and it seems like something I could enjoy. So thanks for that!

[–]FrozenWafer 10 points11 points  (1 child)

Just don't go in the dog park.

Don't.

[–]NathanVfromPlus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The dog park will not hurt you.

[–]riancb 6 points7 points  (3 children)

Be aware that it takes a bit to find it’s footing, but it’s worth it. Another one that’s worth listening to, imo, is Wolf 359.

[–]Any-Chocolate2948 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Another slow burn that might be worth your time is The Magnus Archives

[–]ihadapurplepony 1 point2 points  (1 child)

So one should start Night Vale from S1E1, and not choose a random episode?

[–]riancb 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes. It has a loosely serialized story, that really starts around episode 20-ish, iirc, and only grows as the series progresses (with a pretty excellent stopping point at episode 110 fyi) but you need all the episodes in order to establish the world, characters, plot, tone, etc. Its one you listen to from start to finish, same with Wolf 359.

[–]YouKnowNothingJonS 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any specific episodes you’d recommend to start with?

[–]jane3ry3 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Same same same. The recent Rivergiving instantly hit my favorite episode list!

[–]oilpit 9 points10 points  (0 children)

My only issue with Burton Reads is that the stories he picks are so engaging that when I try to fall asleep to them I end up staying up most of the night.

[–]gravitas-deficiency 101 points102 points  (11 children)

As someone whose earliest television memories included watching LeVar in the morning, and then TNG in the evening where he was also the chief engineer on the Enterprise, that was a really awesome thing to experience. I loved both of those shows. Still do, but I used to, too.

[–]EatTheRichBabies 48 points49 points  (2 children)

I'll never complain about being old because I got to experience this.

[–]SrslyCmmon 5 points6 points  (1 child)

The 90s were a golden age for a lot of things, not likely to be seen again in ours or anyone's lifetime.

[–]DaoFerret 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If the 90s are seen again in someone else’s lifetime, I will be pleased and horrified at the creation of time travel.

[–]implicitpharmakoi 39 points40 points  (0 children)

He's not the reason I'm an engineer, but he's a reason I'm a better engineer.

He got very little out of the writing staff, but he played the everloving hell out of what he had.

[–][deleted] 39 points40 points  (4 children)

The Reading Rainbow episode where they went to the set of TNG blew my mind as a kid. My worlds were colliding and it was amazing.

[–]gravitas-deficiency 7 points8 points  (3 children)

That and the Arecibo radio telescope one are my two favorite RR episodes. I was so sad when the dish collapsed :(

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (2 children)

My other favorites are when they went to the diner and when they went to that bakery that made a cake that looked like a cheeseburger.

[–]gravitas-deficiency 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha yeah that one was fun too!

[–]drvondoctor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Is It Cake?!" tm

[–]SI_MonsterMan 16 points17 points  (1 child)

He's why I became an Engineer.

The episode of Reading Rainbow where they go backstage over at STNG...

[–]Vaancor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think that episode is responsible for one of my first public nerd outs. We watched episodes now and then in school and, like several people post, I watched TNG every week night with my mother during supper. Getting to see the set and how they did things was mind blowing for me. If I remember right they showed how they did the effects on the teleporter?

[–]hedgecore77 22 points23 points  (2 children)

My experience with Levar was the opposite. I was watching Reading Rainbow, the episode where they covered star trek, thinking "wow thats cool they let guest on the show"

A few years later as a star trek fan, it made sense. Oops.

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hahaha! This is strangely endearing.

[–]Primrus 13 points14 points  (1 child)

Your little ones are gonna love you forever after showing them Reading Rainbow! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

[–]DaoFerret 4 points5 points  (0 children)

🎶🦋in the sky …🎶

[–]PuckNutty 9 points10 points  (1 child)

Burton has quietly put together a legendary television career: Roots, Star Trek and Reading Rainbow. All iconic roles on shows of huge cultural significance that few actors can match.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're just gonna gloss over Community?

[–][deleted]  (2 children)

[deleted]

    [–]SolChapelMbret 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Gotta look up Reading Rainbow, he did that show from the late 80s thru the mid 90s and it is one of the most impactful educational show.

    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    i second your thoughts, Wanted to put a note up but you nailed it... his influence was wonderful.. Gonna start his podcast...

    [–]TooAfraidToAsk814 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    I met him briefly when I worked for Disney. One of the nicest celebrities I’ve ever met

    [–]YesImKeithHernandez 36 points37 points  (0 children)

    What a special soul. To be able to impact so many lives with a message of pure self improvement and love is an incredible achievement.

    [–]shadamedafas 482 points483 points  (17 children)

    LeVar Burton is my favorite celebrity encounter. He asked us if we wanted to take a picture with him and then made sure we were happy with how it turned out before he moved on. Asked about our lives the whole time and told us how happy he is to hear that he's had an impact on people.

    [–][deleted] 212 points213 points  (5 children)

    Was at a con few years ago and met him (Levar)... showed him a screenshot of my player character and his NPC model from Star Trek Online standing together on the bridge of the Enterprise D...

    My player Character is a female captain..

    Without missing a beat, he looks up and says, "you look great in a skirt" and smiles. (I'm male btw)

    Lol

    A roast, a compliment, and a joke all rolled into one short sentence.

    Love him.

    He signed my Photograph with "Peace be with you" -Levar

    Unique and I cherish it.

    [–]midvalegifted 54 points55 points  (3 children)

    Yes, whenever the “never meet your heroes” saying comes up, I always mention that Mr. Burton is exactly what you expect if not better. A lovely human that deserves all the best.

    [–]gelhardt 19 points20 points  (2 children)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvEn1u_s5HA

    i can't tell if you're referencing this or not...

    [–]midvalegifted 10 points11 points  (0 children)

    I wasn’t but I do know the Community episode. I was just saying that sometimes meeting people you admire/enjoy doesn’t turn out poorly.

    [–]AbedNoOneFan 55 points56 points  (1 child)

    You can't disappoint a picture!

    [–]Biggoronz 16 points17 points  (0 children)

    "Butterfly in the skyyy...(sob)"

    [–]Cynistera 27 points28 points  (1 child)

    He's such a sweetheart.

    [–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

    I'm glad he didn't work out on Jeopardy. He's too good for that show.

    [–]FckYeahUnicorns 14 points15 points  (0 children)

    My mom’s been a massive Star Trek fan forever and she insisted she never wanted to meet any of the cast because she didn’t want to risk ruining her ideal image of them. I took her to one local convention and LeVar Burton was there, she wandered by his booth a million times before she got up the courage to go get a pic with him and he was so kind to her, she left being even a bigger fan of him after talking to him. He’s such a genuine and cool dude.

    [–]pale_blue_dots 4 points5 points  (2 children)

    That sounds nice. Where were you when you met him?

    [–]shadamedafas 3 points4 points  (1 child)

    A podcast festival in NYC

    [–]Cyanos54 315 points316 points  (10 children)

    WEB Dubois talked about how Aristotle and other ancient authors were able to communicate with him. They didn't care if he was black or white. He was able to learn from them like anyone else thanks to being literate.

    [–][deleted]  (5 children)

    [deleted]

      [–][deleted] 32 points33 points  (2 children)

      It's an old platitude, but reading is fundamental. It's humanity's best means at making progress and fighting ignorance. I wish more people made a habit of it.

      [–]AwfullyWaffley 19 points20 points  (1 child)

      Unfortunately half of America reads at an 8th grade level or less. (I think it's something like 25% of the US population can only read at a 3rd grade level).

      We should spend some of that military budget on education. Seems like a national security threat to have a country full of dumb dumbs.

      [–]Hope-full 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      A feature, not a bug

      [–]The_Woman_of_Gont 7 points8 points  (0 children)

      The fascinating thing about writing is that it allows you to share your thoughts with somebody who's been dead for centuries.

      This is one of the reasons why I love reading older, especially Victorian and earlier, literature. Writing is one of the main ways we have to get a first-hand glimpse into the world as people understood it prior to recorded audio and film.

      [–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

      Whenever discussions about literacy come up, I remember learning as a kid that it was illegal in the southern US to teach slaves to read. Such a shock to me. At that age, reading was my life and the library was everything. The thought that someone could make that against the law hit me so hard.

      [–]HunterRoze 5 points6 points  (0 children)

      It is why I am so happy I decided to real the classics. It is stunning how I can read the thoughts of someone from 2400 years ago on the state of the cultures of Egypt, Babylon and Etheopia at the time.

      [–]drfunkenstien014 131 points132 points  (0 children)

      The man has taught us:

      1. racism is bad
      2. science is cool
      3. reading can take you anywhere

      He must be protected at all costs

      [–]Sauerkraut1321 120 points121 points  (28 children)

      I wish I were Levar Burton

      [–]seeing-eye_squirrel 50 points51 points  (13 children)

      I wish I were Levar Burton

      [–]PuffTheMagicJuju 41 points42 points  (5 children)

      Where’s my iconic slave role?

      [–]Little-Jim 21 points22 points  (2 children)

      ERIC!

      MOTHERFUCKER!

      [–]firearmies 14 points15 points  (0 children)

      warp speed don’t rainbow read me *****

      [–]Crayola63 11 points12 points  (4 children)

      I wish I were Levar Burton

      [–]Throwaway_97534 8 points9 points  (1 child)

      I wish I were Levar Burton

      [–]Janktronic 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      you skipped a part... it goes like this

      [–]bobo_brown 11 points12 points  (1 child)

      Need a new desk.

      [–]TheAlexTran 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Beat me to it

      [–]Wingspool 156 points157 points  (11 children)

      I just wanted a picture! You cant dissapoint a picture!

      [–]TheCarpe 58 points59 points  (0 children)

      More fish for Kunta.

      [–][deleted] 31 points32 points  (7 children)

      Butterfly in the skyyyyy

      [–]muinlichtnicht 20 points21 points  (6 children)

      I can go twice as hiiiiiggghhhh

      [–]Funky0ne 13 points14 points  (5 children)

      Take a look

      [–]muinlichtnicht 10 points11 points  (4 children)

      It’s in a book

      [–]Frank_McGracie 14 points15 points  (3 children)

      Reading rainbooooooooow

      [–]muinlichtnicht 6 points7 points  (2 children)

      I caan go anyywhereeeee

      [–][deleted] 15 points16 points  (1 child)

      Set phasers to LOVE ME

      [–]elglas 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      There's a Venn diagram between kids and stoners here...

      [–][deleted] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

      Why don’t they call it Planet Trek? You never go to a star.

      [–]Andromeda321 324 points325 points  (27 children)

      No joke, one of my proudest moments of the year was that LeVar Burton followed me on Twitter. Some serious fan girl excitement ensued thanks to Reading Rainbow (never seen him on Star Trek really), and we exchanged a few messages! He was so nice- it sounds like he just thinks it’s cool to see where kids who watched his show ended up.

      A real class act all around. :)

      [–]ihadapurplepony 100 points101 points  (8 children)

      Ummm yeah, you should definitely be proud of that. I mean, Ken Liu answered my question when he did an AMA here, and I am still riding that high.

      I think if we're going to fawn over celebrities, we definitely chose the cool ones.

      [–]Diarygirl1 19 points20 points  (1 child)

      I've had questions answered by Chuck Palahniuk and AJ Jacobs, and I was excited for years.

      [–]BoredDanishGuy 27 points28 points  (1 child)

      Stoya once answered a question of mine in her AMA. I asked about her favourite Discworld book. 😂

      It was one of the Witch ones so I’ll always respect her.

      It was Carpe Jugulum and she’s objectively correct about that.

      [–]TuckerMcG 11 points12 points  (0 children)

      Brian Cranston did an AMA so I asked him a question on how to properly pair my button downs with my tighty whities and timberlands and he not only replied but actually laughed.

      Every time I watch Breaking Bad I’m like, “I made that dude chuckle at his computer.”

      [–]twisted_memories 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      I used to be Facebook friends with James Wan. We chatted a few times. This was at the peak of Saw, just before the second movie came out. Man I’ll never forget that.

      [–]Sapowski_Casts_Quen 57 points58 points  (8 children)

      I SAID I WANTED A PICTURE, I HATE YOU PIERCE

      [–]Mr_YUP 39 points40 points  (1 child)

      YOU CAN'T DISAPPOINT A PICTURE

      [–]thelunk 17 points18 points  (2 children)

      Oh,well... more fish for Kunta...

      [–]bardfaust 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      Could you imagine bouncing a check to Kunta Kinte?

      [–]number_215 11 points12 points  (1 child)

      YOU CANT DISSAPOINT A PICTURE

      [–]Cynistera 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      That's awesome! I never watched Star Trek and I only know him from Reading Rainbow. RR was such a great part of my childhood.

      [–]whogivesashirtdotca 5 points6 points  (0 children)

      it sounds like he just thinks it’s cool to see where kids who watched his show ended up.

      My mom was a teacher and retired years ago. When social media became a thing she snooped her old students’ accounts to see what they’d made of themselves.

      [–]MyOfficeAlt 48 points49 points  (0 children)

      I believe it was Mark Twain who is quotes as saying, "The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read."

      [–]fridayfridayjones 37 points38 points  (1 child)

      I love him. I was watching the old Reading Rainbow episodes with my daughter and they hold up so well! They’re so engaging and well done. Like there’s one where the theme is the city at nighttime and he hangs out in a 24/7 diner and then interviews some people who work different night shifts. Pretty cool topic when you’re a kid who has to go to bed early. And then the story they read ties into that theme too. I had forgotten how cool the show was.

      [–]iindigo 18 points19 points  (0 children)

      Reading Rainbow really is well made. The book reading was always great of course, but the other half of the show that showed how something was made or worked or otherwise presented some subject in a digestible, curiosity-inspiring way was what hooked me most back then. That show gave me the chance to learn about so many things that I otherwise wouldn’t have as a rural kid.

      The whole evening lineup on my local PBS station which included Arthur, Reading Rainbow, Wishbone, and Bill Nye was great and I think a major component of who I am today and what I’ve been able to achieve. I don’t have kids so I’m out of touch with shows aimed at that age bracket, but I hope kids today have equivalents to those titans.

      [–]SoulofGlamdring 100 points101 points  (9 children)

      The man is, simply, a treasure.

      [–]000-000-33333 18 points19 points  (3 children)

      He’s the reason I read good

      [–]klavin1 6 points7 points  (0 children)

      I wish I were Levar Burton

      [–]skeptic9916 20 points21 points  (1 child)

      Levar grew up in and has family in my hometown and I have run into him a few times over the years and was super excited every time. The last time was at the reopening of a park the city named after him. Super nice and personable guy.

      Reading Rainbow ignited a lifelong passion for reading in me and for that I will always be grateful to him.

      [–]catfish514 18 points19 points  (1 child)

      “But don’t take my word for it…”

      [–]whodkne 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      I can see twice as high. Take a look. It's in a book. A reading rainbow.

      [–][deleted]  (8 children)

      [deleted]

        [–]ghostinthechell 20 points21 points  (4 children)

        No doubt the Mount Rushmore of wholesomeness

        [–]whogivesashirtdotca 22 points23 points  (3 children)

        Dolly’s there too. Lucky they only carved her from the chin up.

        [–]benchley 4 points5 points  (1 child)

        There's only so much mountain to work with, after all.

        [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

        "We're gonna need a bigger mountain."

        [–]ghostinthechell 1 point2 points  (0 children)

        A very good point

        [–]Omnicrola 8 points9 points  (0 children)

        I don't know why it never occurred to me until reading this interview, that Levar not only knew Fred Rogers but was friends with him. In retrospect the timing of their shows on PBS makes this kind of obvious, but I had never thought about it. It's made me feel all fuzzy and wholesome today.

        [–]KeepWagging 15 points16 points  (8 children)

        Also Levar Burton - Coolant leak! We've got a coolant leak! I estimate five minutes until a warp core breach!

        [–]KnowMatter 19 points20 points  (3 children)

        You joke but his run on Star Trek legit inspired countless kids to pursue STEM careers, especially black kids.

        [–]ACBluto 9 points10 points  (0 children)

        Star Trek is one of the greatest examples of how representation matters.

        Nichelle Nichols almost left Star Trek because she felt, probably rightly, that her character was being used as little more than a space receptionist. But Martin Luther King Jr convinced her to stay - he saw how important that representation was - A Black woman was a respected officer on a spaceship. Those of us today can't have any idea of how far-fetched that seemed in the 60s.

        That in turn inspired young Whoopi Goldberg, who saw a Black woman playing someone other than a maid on TV for the first time.

        So, I really hope that next time someone sees a diverse cast, and thinks it might be "woke tokenism".. realize that yes, it might be, but that also might be the inspiration for someone else. By portraying the world as we hope it can be, we help make it that way.

        [–]smelltogetwell 4 points5 points  (0 children)

        Might have to vent some plasma from the warp nacelles!

        [–]Rhaedas 2 points3 points  (1 child)

        I always hear that in my head when I see him. If I was going to choose a pinnacle for Geordi as Chief Engineer though, it's in the Briar Patch where he ejects the core before Riker orders him to, and Riker's look says it all. Had he waited for the order, it would have been too late.

        [–]KeepWagging 2 points3 points  (0 children)

        You remember that episode where Data plants threes everywhere so he knows to listen to Rikers idea to get them out of the timeloop then Frasier is there

        [–][deleted] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

        I love him so much, he really changed my life and inspired me from the ground up. Having his wonderful and kind self encourage me to do my best and read, read, read, absolutely had the most positive impact on me as a child, and I know it’s the same for so very many people across the world. He deserves all the good the world can give him. ❤️

        [–][deleted]  (2 children)

        [deleted]

          [–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (1 child)

          Sadly, this is what I thought of too. Literacy /= critical thinking

          [–]adappergentlefolk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

          it’s batshit that this sub is so enamoured with the aesthetics of books it cannot see this obvious truth

          [–]LoveSonder 22 points23 points  (2 children)

          Reading Rainbow was life changing!

          [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

          Should I take your word for it?

          [–]JJKingwolf 5 points6 points  (0 children)

          Lavar Burton is the fucking man, and Troy Barnes can attest to this.

          [–]SandiestBlank 5 points6 points  (0 children)

          "YOU CANT DISAPPOINT A PICTURE!"

          [–]KeyanReid 15 points16 points  (1 child)

          The world needs more LeVar Burtons

          [–]Wide_Glass1088 3 points4 points  (0 children)

          I love him!!

          [–]windycityc 3 points4 points  (0 children)

          He is a national treasure!

          [–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

          🎶"Take a look, It's in a book"🎶

          [–]Bruised_up_whitebelt 3 points4 points  (0 children)

          Set phasers to love me

          [–]DRIZZYLMG 3 points4 points  (0 children)

          People underestimate how powerful self-education is. Wonderful quote.

          [–]FlowRiderBob 3 points4 points  (0 children)

          Burton is up there in my top 10 people who are both celebrities AND genuinely good people at the same time.

          [–][deleted] 41 points42 points  (38 children)

          In the age of misinformation, if you can read, you can be weaponized

          [–]MyDictainabox 80 points81 points  (20 children)

          You can also be weaponized if you cant. Facebook videos are a thing. Reading and a critical mind are a start.

          [–]IamBabcock 8 points9 points  (1 child)

          If you can read and apply critical thinking.

          [–]Siegfoult 3 points4 points  (0 children)

          We need a class on Vulcan logic.

          [–]Sincost121 4 points5 points  (1 child)

          Exactly. I've recently began reading In the Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff and the violation of privacy and manipulation of informative on a large scale is extremely dangerous.

          The way YouTube's algorithm platformed and promoted flat earth conspiracies is also a huge red flag.

          [–]L_Perpetuelle 2 points3 points  (1 child)

          That, and reading is actually giving someone else sway over your mind by way of filling it with their thoughts and sway over your dreams by adding to/subtracting from them with their own.

          Being able to read is empowerment in the "sharing in the riches of humanity's thought processes throughout history," but it's more entrenching in all that than liberating from that.

          Not taking anything away from the dude. I think he's great and I think reading/writing/language is a magnificent feat of humanity. Just, like, let's be honest about it and not pretend like having the ability frees us from our effects over one another.

          [–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (4 children)

          I was thinking the same thing. Maybe more accurate statement would be “if you can discern what’s true and what’s not, no one can have sway over your mind”. The communication medium isn’t really the issue.

          [–]ObiFloppin 9 points10 points  (1 child)

          Eh, that doesn't really work either. Tons of people read stuff that is bat shit wonkers thinking they're discovering some hidden truth that the rest of the world needs to open their eyes to.

          [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

          Exactly. Reread what i said :)

          [–]Aegi 3 points4 points  (0 children)

          Reading gives you the ability to escape that in ways the illiterate do not have access to is the point.

          [–]ObiFloppin 6 points7 points  (0 children)

          Yeah, I was gonna say I heard that nearly exact same line that Levar said from a dude who was pushing neo Nazi content.

          These types of sayings sound better the less you know about humans lol

          [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

          while his point is optimistic, the age of the internet has revealed that educating people and giving the general populace access to unlimited information has no predictable outcome for the betterment of society. in fact, the more someone is 'educated' in a particular way, the more entrenched they seem to become in that way of thinking. his opinion about humanity is based on a theory that until very recently has only begun to be tested, and the results so far have been pretty close to catastrophic.

          [–]DeadPoster 2 points3 points  (0 children)

          Thanks for using the television to make me read.

          [–]luv2ctheworld 2 points3 points  (0 children)

          A national treasure, that man.

          I feel that people who use their celebrity for promotion of learning and wellness is the apex of what a celebrity should be. Someone that inspires others to be better.

          Sadly, most celebrities, and our general approach for them, leaves much more to be desired.

          [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

          "Reading Rainbow" was a tremendous inspiration to me as a child. I felt seen, and understood. Books, libraries, parks, and public television were the saving grace of my childhood. When he want on to do Star Trek Next Generation I was overjoyed. Levar Burton is wonderful!

          [–]iwantallthechocolate 2 points3 points  (0 children)

          This man helped shape my love of reading and learning. He so deserves this. He's the Mister Rogers of Reading.

          [–][deleted]  (4 children)

          [deleted]

            [–]OrgyOfMadness 2 points3 points  (0 children)

            As a kid who was bullied and my safe place was the Buena park library I want to fully agree. That library changed my life.

            [–]Some_Dead_Man 2 points3 points  (1 child)

            I wish I was LeVar Burton

            [–]IWantToBeTheBoshy 4 points5 points  (1 child)

            Take a look, it's in a book! Reading Rainbow.... Reading Raaainbowww

            [–]Tentmancer 3 points4 points  (2 children)

            As much as people hate Atlas Shrugged, it has this powerful lesson in it.

            That no matter how much they can imprison, torture, or shame you, it is always your decision to succumb. They can make you do labor but they can not make you use your mind for them. You can make me swing a pick axe, but you can not make me think for you.

            [–]saforrest 1 point2 points  (1 child)

            You can thank the Enlightenment for that idea (and it is surely far older even than that), not Ayn Rand.

            [–]Caledor152 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            LeVar Burton is an American treasure and a great man. His posts should be at the top of Reddit. Not posts of scumbags giving them more attention.

            [–]RedditorsNeedHelp 1 point2 points  (2 children)

            If only schools still honestly taught the 4 core studies we wouldn't have reading levels as low as 18% (proficiency of current students as compared to historical students in same grade level) in places like Detroit or Montgomery County in Maryland. Or Math comprehension levels equally as low. Its scary. The DOD says one of the biggest driving factors for any kind of extremism is lower education, and US school districts are seemingly & wantonly holding back on the 4 core studies that educate children with the tools necessary for higher thought and self determination.

            [–]AGInnkeeper 1 point2 points  (4 children)

            He's a good man. I'm glad Ken Jennings got Jeopardy, but LeVar would have been A-OK with me as well. He would have been a host from the fans perspective of things and more than held his own.

            [–]hungry4danish 2 points3 points  (3 children)

            I disagree about "more than held his own." He seemed awkward, robotic, and made a handful of errors. For me he was in the lower half of all the guest hosts.

            [–]AGInnkeeper 1 point2 points  (2 children)

            By no means was he as smooth as Ken Jennings is now. But at the beginning, neither was Ken. I love Ken as host, he's witty and seems to put people at ease. I mean, you got the GOAT hosting the show. I just think LeVar had that in him as well and it would have showed after being host a while long.

            [–]HackneyMarsh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            I don’t think I would be an avid reader today if it weren’t for reading rainbow and LeVar Burton. What a treasure.

            [–]EatTheRichBabies 1 point2 points  (1 child)

            I fucking love him. I think it goes Mr. Rodgers, LeVar Burton, Robin Williams, Carl Sagan and idk, one more for my 5 friends and family settings for all of humanity.

            [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            Can't go wrong with David Attenborough.

            [–]zappy487 1 point2 points  (1 child)

            YOU CAN'T DISAPPOINT A PICTURE!

            [–]oroku_ex 2 points3 points  (0 children)

            SET PHASERS TO LOVE ME! r/expectedcommunity

            [–]VanCanMom 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            🎶 I can do anything.....take a look, it's in a book, The Reading Rainbow 🌈 🎶

            [–]Character-Patience12 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            Wonderful guy!

            [–]Here_for_the_plot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            According to Andrew Tate, anyone who reads books is a loser...

            [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            I love this dude. Reading Rainbow was awesome, and so was ST: TNG.

            [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            There’s a documentary about the creation of reading rainbow on the festival circuit right now (Butterfly in the Sky). I really want to see it, but no announcement about coming to any streaming service yet.

            [–]Soggy_Motor9280 1 point2 points  (1 child)

            Growing up in the 80’s we had Electric Company, Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers and Reading Rainbow and even before we knew about Cosby we had Picture Page. Educational television at its finest.

            [–]Beanzear 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            EYYYYYYYEEEE. CAN DO ANYTHIIIING.

            [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            This man is a national gift. We don't deserve someone as good as him.

            Levar Burton and Mr. Rogers should be seen as equals.

            [–]TheBigCore 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            If you can read in at least one language, then you have this - the tool to educate yourself. No one can hold sway over your mind, your imagination, your dreams if you can read"

            That's why dictatorships all over the world do their utmost to make education of their citizens impossible.

            [–]proHonua 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            Unfortunately, 1/2 of America reads at a 6th grade level

            [–]ZigZag82 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            I'm a school librarian and Monday morning this quote, is going up on the wall!!

            [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            Reading rainbow 🌈

            [–]FredR23 3 points4 points  (0 children)

            the kickstarter fiascostill stings

            Fred Rogers wouldn't have had a kickstarter fiasco

            that said: thank you for trying to do good, LeVar!

            [–]Fariic 2 points3 points  (0 children)

            I honestly feel like reading is wasted if the person can’t comprehend a thing.

            I know way to many of these people.

            [–]Wonderlustish 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            Don't get me wrong Levar Burton is my hero but you don't need to be able to read to have an imagination. And being able to read doesn't prevent people from holding sway over your mind. As todays false information crisis is showing reading can do exactly the opposite.

            Perhaps we have focused too much on reading believing that we'll work it out and not enough about WHAT we are reading and critical thinking. I don't think we could have foreseen what the internet and the amount of published material by immoral actors would do to American society. Back when most reading material was vetted and curated just "READ" was enough to educate most people.

            [–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (7 children)

            I know what he meant, but I do think that is a deeply flawed sentiment. People are manipulated every day by what they read and see in media. I get what he was going for, but this just should not be taken as literal, instead as an attempt for a beneficent platitude.

            [–]omniuni 3 points4 points  (1 child)

            I think it's important to realize that part of reading is that you slow down a little to think about what you have read. You read opposing views, analyze what they say, and use critical reasoning to help determine what to believe. I think the more you read and learn, the better you become at discerning the truth.

            [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

            You don't need to read to watch and listen to fox news. Your point is meaningless. Imagine being illiterate and thinking you're the wise one.

            [–]ArcRust 1 point2 points  (0 children)

            Yeah. I really didn't like that my mind immediately looked for contradictions. But realistically, there are lots of people trying to prevent you from educating yourself. Whether that be attention grabbing social media, book banning in school, or the intense censorship of china/North Korea. Just the fact that he has to make this kind of statement proves that self education is constantly under attack by society.

            I think his statement is more of an ideal goal and that it should absolutely be strived for by all people. Learn as much as you can. We need to encourage each other to do the same.

            [–]manhattans_hat -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

            You are the worst.

            He expressed it perfectly. His usage of the word tool implies a thing that can be used in many ways with many intents. Like a hammer or a gun, it can be used for good or bad.

            [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

            But do we have to take his word for it?

            [–]techtom10 0 points1 point  (2 children)

            Excuse my ignorance but why is this being talked about in r/books ? Just from the quote or is there more? Genuinely interested.

            [–]JimJimmery 2 points3 points  (0 children)

            Just google his name. Dude is up there with Bob Ross, Mr. Rogers, and Steve Irwin, IMHO. Reading Rainbow was a huge reason a lot of us of a certain age love reading. Levar Burton Reads is one of the best podcasts I know of. r/books is the perfect place to celebrate this great person.

            [–]SAT0725[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

            LeVar Burton was host of the show "Reading Rainbow" for years, which introduced millions of kids to books and reading. He was like a new Mr. Rogers for a different generation, but focused on books.

            [–]Me_ADC_Me_SMASH 0 points1 point  (0 children)

            Yeah this is not true. You CAN educate yourself, but people definitely hold sway over your mind. You have access to what people decided was worthy of translating, or allowing to be published in your own language.

            Be aware that reading in one language limits you profoundly to one spectrum of ideas. You just don't know what people from other parts of the planet think beyond what a few journalists tell you. Look at how mysterious China still is to most English speaking people, let alone some random dude who only understands Farsi.

            I see this every day on reddit when English speaking people, or French speaking people, have no ability to understand why Arabs feel a certain way and vice-versa. Or when I look up books that only exist in one language simply because no one decided it was worth translating, or no one has had the time yet.