Dad Oliver James, 34, Is Learning To Read and Sharing His Journey on TikTok

[@lanoragarner6101]

He really don't know how many people he helped because they are too ashamed to ask for help. So proud of this young man.

[@ButterflyLullabyLtd]

Great comment.👏👏👏 So true. 👍His videos and story will help so many. I LOVE THAT HE TAUGHT HIMSELF TO READ! Very clever indeed. There are 9 Million Illiterate Adults in the UK who have been through the British 🇬🇧 School Systems. How many in the USA 🇺🇸 I wonder? And how many in other Countries. It may be worth investigating. No child should suffer like this because of Education. Education is supposed to be kind and fun, not abusive and cruel! He's a Hero❣️

[@harper7509]

He's precious and so inspirational. So many people can not read and the shame they feel because of it often keeps them from learning. They work very hard to hide it instead when in reality they probably had issues beyond their control as children and that's why they couldn't learn at the time. Bless him for his courage and genius to tackle the issue in public It's going to help so many people. I just love that. He is a blessing for sure.

[@herauthenticself7749]

He so inspirational bless his heart for tackle this issue and spread awareness.

[@Rosannasfriend]

I love that he’s not ashamed to share his journey, as he shouldn’t be.

[@munkchip2324]

That was so touching and thank you for sharing your testimony.

[@cocochante6685]

I wish this man the best in life! Sending love, healing, and comfort your way 💜💜

[@maripierce1138]

Appreciate your honesty - Blessings to Mr. Oliver James for continued success🙏🏽

[@fegrace_1]

There are so many children, teens, and adults if all ages that can relate to his story. I hope they take inspiration and take steps everyday to read. No matter what goal one may have it start with staring, being consistent, masking for help and support when needed, and acknowledging and praising yourself for making progress. Congrats, to everyone striving to grow, develop, and improve their quality of life🎉!

[@TriggaTreDay]

I know a few adults that are in his position and they would never be brave enough to share and reach out to others for help. The bullying culture growing in school is what discourages so many to not ask for help even when they want to. I love this story and I wish him so much success.

[@mahoganywilson2570]

You are going to soar like an eagle. Your story took courage I'm so happy for you. Blessings to you. So many great things are going to take place for you.

[@andreawilson9258]

What a testimony. This young man story is going to help sooooo many. I absolutely love his story. One step at a time. All Glory to God.

[@tanekamiller4989]

I'm so proud of him. And I that his life is wonderful from now on. ❤️💞

[@maloney7461]

Grew up in the projects when I was young. There happen to be a library down the streets from our apartment. I became a reader because of the library. It was my one escape. Loved me some mythology books. They were my favorite. I would imagine I was in those locations.

[@moniqueadcock5219]

Love him taking his power back through reading! Excited for his future

[@kidperk3347]

So proud of OJ and what hes doing....went to middle school and played on the basketball team with him....never knew he couldnt read.....truly a great soul

[@cjayg.4553]

Thank you king for sharing your story, you are being an inspiration those who are afraid to ask for help! Keep on being an inspiration!

[@Rosannasfriend]

Oh, I love this.

[@PcfulSol]

He explained that well. He didn't give too many details.

[@Mathapelo2006]

I'm so happy to see that Renee Watson's wonderful Ways to Make Sunshine is one of the books that she gifted his family. It's such a delightful book.

[@derrickskipper9227]

Awesome

[@rotcod2886]

He's going to inspire many men.

[@lilliansmithwhyte8498]

SOOOO 👍AWESOME MS. JHUD💘 SO AWESOME💐 HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY BEAUTIFUL HARD WORKING WOMEN 💅🥂💐

[@steverios2601]

Read is foundational ❤❤❤❤

[@auroraseyets8516]

A video vision board?!?! Brilliant 🤯

[@crazyeliteatvs9087]

IT'S GOOD that he is sharing that because there ars alot of men that have that problem that are a shame to admit that and go out commit crime's to make a living

[@SocialExhaustion]

I feel ashamed that I don’t know most of my times tables 😩 this is inspiring

[@SoothUrMental]

I am so inspired that Baddass Brother! He will overcome this but many who were victims of that school won't. Oliver, you ARE brilliant and you are choosing to tell your story to show others what WINNING looks like. May you reach many. Jen Jen - we can definitely afford to give him more than a bunch of books... 🤔🤓

[@marinecorpswarrior915]

I'm was a high school special education teacher and unfortunately this is the case for many young men and women of color. A lot of districts/teachers pass these students through, social promotion because holding them back will hurt their self esteem, to the next grade knowing that they can't read and by the time they get to high school they have completely given up! The correlation between men in prison, especially men of color, and those who were in special education classes are extremely high. Our public schools has failed many of these young men and women.

[@kristenb5177]

Do you use the Critical Thinking Co in your class room ?

[@Sugamamita]

His face of disappointment when they came w books 😂😂😂 -I get the basket too 😂😂😂😂😂

[@honeyc]

Huh... He wasn't disappointed.

[@ButterflyLullabyLtd]

Jennifer thank you for sharing this heartfelt ♥️ true story. We love your music 🎶🎵by the way. Your such an outstanding singer. I wonder if you would consider creating a singing story 🎵🎶 book 📖 with me to help children read? ❤️❤️❤️ Both my daughter and I were failed in school like Oliver. I suffered no abuse apart from ITA English Twaddle, which got banned by parents thank goodness. But it's still taught in the USA. I had to relearn how to read, write and spell. It's amazing I can spell at all. I taught myself to type etc. My daughter was bullied in school mentally by some teachers like Owain, and children. I cannot believe he suffered beatings as well, my heart breaks💔 for him. I love the way he has turned his life around himself. Just shows you what is capable. ❤️❤️❤️

[@MichaelJones-yx4zv]

Love Jennifer as a singer but she don't know how to ask the tough questions or any questions people want to know... Most obvious one being why he go to jail

[@drlle_3349]

That’s a part of his past. He stated bad decisions lead to bad results. Sometimes the less said is the better.

[@taurussho86]

I'd still want to know why you went to jail, because not being able to read at all says your story started at home.

[@Canuck24_7]

Not really. Many people have learning disabilities and struggle despite getting lots of help.

[@n.156]

Right. Some of these learning disabilities could be Autism, Dislexia, ADHD, ADD etc... And in some cases childhood trauma, genetics, and environment health can lead to brain disfunction. Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure he said 'he felt he couldn't do the things that everyone else could do'. I felt this way throughout my entire childhood until almost present day.

[@akirajounetsui]

he did say that the adults in his life and around him failed him. As there were no books available at his home for him to read etc. As well as the fact that he was in special Ed so he was passed along like school systems usually do to Black boys. But the reason he went to jail has nothing to do with it, so I wouldn't need to know why he went.

[@jclyntoledo]

​@@n.156Autism is not a learning disability though it's a neurodevelopmental disorder.

[@n.156]

@@jclyntoledo Please Google the meaning of Learning difficulties and see what it comes up with. I already know it's a neurodevelopmental disorder. However I didn't just mention one, I listed many as an example! Hence the term ( Learning Disabilities)

[@yourstruly3349]

What white staff member came up with this idea?

[@mainreason9601]

I ain't buying it

[@Kissiethehomemaker]

He’s faking! His articulation is at master level. His word retrieval is not that of a person who can’t read man come on people. I know people who can’t read and he is not one of those people. He’s lying through his teeth! He speaks better than Jennifer Hudson! And she had to go thru a speaking class I’m quite sure! Bc on American idol her vocab was limited as should his be!

[@akirajounetsui]

First off this is really dismissive and problematic. Don't speak on things if you don't know them personally. He's been trying to read books in order to teach himself how. He's a grown adult why would he not be able to articulate? You can hear and repeat things all day long doesn't mean he "knows" how to read or should be used to say he's lying. Stop it.

[@Kissiethehomemaker]

@@akirajounetsui first off I can speak in anything I want and second he’s not fooling me and third if you can’t read there is no way your grammar will be mastered as his is. So, girl bye

[@akirajounetsui]

@@Kissiethehomemaker there's always one hateful person to always exist. Shame. I'd say do better but you've proven you can't. Have the life you deserve.

[@Kissiethehomemaker]

You can’t get mad at me because I have my own opinion as an educated woman who’s worked in the school system to not belie a fraud like him and as to my life it’s going just fine. What life do you have😂

[@akirajounetsui]

@@Kissiethehomemaker I'm not mad at you for having an opinion, im disappointed that you're problematic as someone who works in the school system and as a grown adult. It should be common knowledge to keep such thoughts inward, as the golden age rule has always stated "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all." Ironic how such ideology is lost on you. As I stated before, you do not know him or his experiences and for you to say such things is not only disgusting but problematic and shame on you for saying such. As for the other bit youve stated: Your life can't be going that well if you've taken time out of it to be toxic and horrid. People who are happy don't try and crap on others. With that in mind I'll take it that mine could be worse. I could be you. 💞

[@niamcd6604]

This man shows strong potential to get as far as getting a PhD. Is still not fully literate and expressed himself so eloquently, I can only imagine what he could do with education.

[@allentrice1547]

He can read their mind! Well... ❤️‍🩹 Seriously 😳 he's quite good for read it.