No more cursive writing

On Presidents Day I went down to the National Historic Park in Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell because it was free that day. I (re)learned some interesting things: The bell pre-dates the Revolution, being shipped from London in 1752; the London firm than made it was told to inscribe a verse from Leviticus on it (“Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof”); it cracked on its first test ring and was melted down and recast by two homeboys, John Pass and John Stow (American ingenuity); and it cracked again after 90 years (oops).

But mainly I learned that in a generation from now, people will not be able to read the personal letters and many of the historical artifacts at the National Historic Park—because they are penned in cursive, and the schools are not teaching cursive anymore.

When I first heard about this change in curriculum, I thought it was a sick joke. I didn’t believe it any more than I believe in the legend of Sleepy Hollow. But not only is it true, it is also hard to find people willing to be jaw-droppingly appalled with me and my views on the matter.

Someone who shares my dismay is a physical therapist in my church who thinks that cursive writing draws on a very different set of mind and motor skills than block printing: It uses muscles differently and activates different neurons in the brain.

Maybe the physical therapist is all wet, and maybe those who say we need to teach keyboard, tolerance, and self-esteem classes instead of cursive writing are right. But if this hasty (as it seems to me) education policy decision turns out to be wrong, it could be spectacularly wrong. It could have unforeseen and unintended consequences that dwarf those generated by the introduction of kudzu and the automobile—and rabbits in Australia.

Of course, if you want to look at the bright side, just think of all you’ll derive if you should survive to 105, and be the only one left in town who can read the Bill of Rights in its original medium. You will be a rock star to the younger generation, who will all want your autograph. And you will be able to sign your name while everyone else is marking with an “X.”