LeVar Burton on reading aloud: “it’s such an intrinsic part of the human experience”

"LeVar Burton" by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

OCTOBER 5, 2020 - While many people might immediately think of LeVar Burton as Lt. Commander Geordi LaForge from Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 63-year-old actor has held a special place in the hearts of many for his work reading aloud as the host of the long-running series Reading Rainbow. He is also the host of his own podcast, LeVar Burton Reads, which features short fiction hand-picked and read aloud by Burton. In a recent interview with Canada's CBC Radio podcast Day 6, the actor discussed why he continues his work as a storyteller and how he is using that influence to promote diversity and equality in today’s social climate.

"I just love reading aloud because it's such an intrinsic part of the human experience. We can all relate to it," Burton said in the interview. "Not everybody has been to the ballet. Not everybody's been to the theatre. But most everybody has an experience of having been read to."

Part of Burton’s focus on LeVar Burton Reads is, as he says, “to help educate those allies who have declared themselves to be allies in this struggle — this ongoing struggle — for justice and equality in America.” Burton said the podcast strives to bring attention to the work of authors who are marginalized in society. "People of colour, LGBTQ, non-binary writers…. They deserve to be exposed,” Burton said, “and we deserve to have that exposure to these diverse voices, because it is the diversity in this world, the complexity of it, that is really the most delicious part."

To read the full coverage of the interview, visit cbc.ca/day6. And you can find the podcast LeVar Burton Reads wherever you get your podcasts, or on LeVarBurtonPodcast.com.