Literacy rates defy time and place – such as the debate the United States now faces that Mexico saw 60 years ago.
Danny Anderson, assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Spanish professor at the University of Kansas, spoke Monday about literacy rates in Mexico during the 1940s.
Anderson spoke about the influence of literacy rates on literature during the era in Mexican history characterized by a low literacy rate that was concentrated in the metropolitan areas of the country.
Joe Ricapito, University Spanish professor, said Anderson has devoted much time to studying Mexican literature.
“He is one of the most knowledgeable people on Latin American studies in the United States,” Ricapito said.
Anderson, a Texas native, said his lecture fills a void in Mexican literary research, a subject that often is not included in studies of Latin American literature.
“Very little attention is given to literature written in the ’40s and ’50s,” said Anderson, who has been to Mexico more than 20 times to research the culture and literature.
Ricapito said Anderson’s lecture shows students a view of Mexico’s history more than 60 years ago.
“Anybody going to the lecture would be able to see what life is like in the ’40s,” Ricapito said. “That would be a lot different than Mexico today.”
Justin Brice, German senior, said the lecture supplements one of his Spanish literature classes.
“I am interested in extra knowledge, especially about topics I am not familiar about,” Brice said.
 
Contact Justin Fritscher at [email protected]