Five Major Barriers Facing Black Readers

I took a look at barriers identified -- here and here -- by contributing writer-researchers, and it prompted me to reflect on obstacles that stand out from my own observations. Here are five that come to mind:

Personal shame. Social stigmas associated with struggling to read or being perceived as unintelligent discourage people from seeking the help they need.

Social media overload. Constant scrolling, rapid engagement with brief content, and ongoing digital distractions can weaken attention spans and the cognitive endurance needed for long-form reading. 

Institutional Indifference: Despite widespread research and general concern about literacy, institutions often fail to provide consistent, focused support for developing strong, motivated readers.

Difficulty Identifying Interests: Many readers disengage because they have not been connected to topics, genres, or authors that genuinely spark their curiosity.

Limited Resources and Supportive Environments: Strong reading skills typically develop in environments rich with time, materials, and encouragement—conditions that many struggling readers do not consistently experience.

Related:

• Notes on Black Readers & Digital Culture