LeVar Burton Schools Kanye West About Books After Rapper Says He Avoids Reading

LeVar Burton and Kanye West (Credit: Shutterstock)

Kanye West is back in the news, this time for comparing books to Brussels sprouts, and LeVar Burton is not here for it.

In a recent episode of the wellness podcast, Alo Mind Full, the rapper told hosts Danny Harris and Alyson Wilson he doesn’t go anywhere near books.

“When you said I hadn’t read this book, I actually haven’t read any book,” West revealed after Harris mentioned that the hip-hop mogul hadn’t read his favorite book.

“Reading is like eating Brussel Sprouts for me,” he continued, apparently suggesting the food and books are unappetizing.

Related Story: Katt Williams Mocks Kanye West During Set at Netflix Comedy Festival

Ye’s comments sparked reaction from former Reading Rainbow host and literacy advocate LeVar Burton.

In a tweet, Burton reacted to a news article on West’s comments and wrote: “Hmmm…I’m going have to take Mr. West at his word. I hope however, that he shares a different message with the children enrolled in the school he’s founded, named after his mother, who was an professor of English. I’m fairly certain she read a book or two.”

Burton was referring to West’s recent launch of the Donda Academy, a private Christian school in California. Although, not much is known about the school or what the students are learning, a recent report by Rolling Stone, claimed parents had to sign NDAs to get their children enrolled. The school is yet to be accredited.

In a section of the website, the schools mission is described as “using an ethic of integrity and care, Donda Academy prepares students to become the next generation of leaders, thinkers and innovators by providing them with a world-class education that includes a rigorous core curriculum, and an emphasis on sustainability, creativity, critical thinking and problem solving.”

As for Burton, he recently stressed the importance of reading to a group of young children in California. He spent an afternoon at an elementary school in Burbank, hosted a read-along, and encouraged the children to continue to dive into books, as previously reported.


Discover more from Urban Hollywood 411

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

About Maria Leal

Maria Leal is a bilingual, multi-media journalist based in Los Angeles. She can be reached on Twitter @MariaLealNews.