BY: Cheryl Smith
As someone who has had a lifelong love affair with books I was so excited to hear that the family of Paul Quinn College President Michael J. Sorrell has a book club.
The influence and impact such a project can have on that family will be generational and also monumental!
We talk about generational wealth from a financial perspective. Well, let’s look at some of the other ways we could build up our families for generations to come.
At a time when our country’s so-called leaders are banning books, stifling educational growth, and causing a larger divide due to a lack of knowledge and understanding, it is inspiring to see people like the Sorrells who say they will not be deterred.
Instead, they are teaching financial literacy, healthy living, ethical, spiritual and legal principles; and they are developing all aspects of their family members’ lives by teaching them to be responsible, respectful, loving and conscientious.
I can’t help but smile.
And I say family members because some might argue that only the children are learning, but you can’t constantly teach if you’re not constantly learning. Mama and Papa Sorrell are learning as they teach.
I would love to not be a fly on the wall, but actually a participant in discussions about some of the books chosen and read in the Sorrell household.
Sadly, while the population continues to grow libraries grow at a snail’s pace. That’s according to the American Library Association: during a 20-year period, fewer than 150 libraries came and went.
I know I can use my phone, iPad, or listen to tapes, but for me just as it was when I was learning to read; there’s nothing like turning the pages of a book with my fingers.
Fortunately, today there are more books on shelves from people who look like me, representing the vast differences in ages, orientations, backgrounds, and languages that exist.
I call what the Sorrells are doing “good parenting.”
A fellow Florida A&M University alum, Sonya Swanson, spends hours at the library. I think she goes daily and when her 16-year-old daughter is not in school, they are their together.
As I think about the future being left to generations that will look back on us and wonder what we did what we were thinking, and what was going on, intellectual wealth can do so much to make this world a better place.
I just received a copy of “I Shook Up the World: The Incredible Life of Muhammad Ali,”written by his eldest daughter, Maryum. It will be added to the library I am growing for 6-year-old Skylar Smith. I hope to read each one to her while sharing my experiences and showing her that most of the books are autographed.
Opening up a book opens up a whole different world for you. Our descendants will better understand and appreciate the differences that often divide and cause conflict today.
So I have included the list of books from the Sorrell family and if it sparks one family to join what could be a life changing experience, that would be great.
Today I still use the slogan, “Reading is fundamental.”
It was Margaret McNamara who founded the literacy organization 60 years ago.
I love to add to the phrase, a song made popular by the late, great Jerry Butler and Brenda Lee Eager, “Ain’t Understanding Mellow,” because I believe the more you read the
more you understand.
Thank you Sorrell Family, what a legacy!
