I’m talking about someone in the public eye who I imagine you will know as soon I say their name. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. I know, I know. I have no issue criticizing him for his fight performances. I have no issue criticizing him for his history of domestic abuse. I have no issue criticizing him for his attitude and cockiness. But I won’t be criticizing him for the fact that he can’t read.
Anyone who keeps up with sports knows that Floyd’s been called out multiple times for his reading by people trying to discredit him in some way. Why is that okay? Because he’s ultra rich? Because he doesn’t seem to care that people keep bringing it up? Because he has a criminal record? I want to know. It’s ridiculous. I know many will probably struggle to sympathize with him, but I say that says more about you than it does him.
Is it his fault that he can’t read? No. Do you really think he likes that he can’t read? No. He doesn’t. I’m not going to sit here and tell you to respect him as a person, but I will ask that you act like a decent human being toward him. Even if others don’t. He can’t read and there are so many reasons why that is bad for the rest of us. There are kids growing up exactly as he is without that necessary ability, and they likely won’t be as fortunate as he’s been. So think about them.
On this day in 2014 I published Would you Write a Book That you Knew Would not be Read for 100 Years?.
Johnny Reads 
Hmmm, honestly never thought about it, but you’re right. Criticizing someone based on their illiteracy is a low-blow. Its a way to make yourself feel superior to someone else, and in today’s social media its often hard to remember that there are others out there paying attention to what you are saying as well.
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That’s exactly what it is. Just trying to belittle someone and make yourself feel better about yourself. Or bigger. Something. But it just makes you look like a total prick with no conscience.
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