Why do we Read? Why do we Write?

A most profound question gets the briefest of answers. 

We read because reading breeds empathy. Through words we learn to see beyond the other. We see into the eyes, minds and hearts of people- and pay tribute to their lived experience. 

Reading is a partnership. Through reading we can share in a person’s victories and marvel collectively at the wonders of the world. We also learn to understand a person’s suffering. We learn to mourn in solidarity with their losses. 

Similarly, we write because there is a story that only we can tell. A story that is individual and personal, and that which cannot be replicated by any other person on this planet. 

Writing can be a form of catharsis. It is a way for us to release, understand and later even appreciate the pain and difficulty that colours all our lives. It can be a way of stopping the clock. We can use words to preserve the past. 

Writing can be done simply because we love writing. It is a joy to create something out of nothing.

In academics, do not restrict yourselves to what many might consider to be the more ‘important’ subjects of science or business. Much of the problems that plague mankind today come from men and women who spent too much time thinking through scientific detachment or cold-blooded financials. 

Nowadays, more than ever, society needs curious, compassionate and understanding individuals. All these qualities (and more) are honed through exploring the humanities- literature, languages and the arts. The humanities help us understand what it means to be human. They help us become better humans. 

As you move through your anthology, pause and reflect after each piece of writing you encounter. You are indeed lucky to be studying a curriculum that is well-thought out - that which gives you exposure to a plethora of writing talent from all corners of the world. Every story in your anthology is alive- alive with the lived experiences, be it real or imaginary, of their respective writers. 

And thus reading and writing is always a journey- an adventure most definitely. So make the most of it, and ensure you have a good one.☺



-TheBlogTeam