I'd place the literacy rate in NYC's poor neighborhoods at around 65-75%..
Stats lie sometimes.
Like I go to certain food places and see some black and spanish folks that can't even read out the food lables, so they point with great frustration. hahaha
If you asked me the percentage for reading comprehension and writing skills, then I'd say 50% of pople in NYC are below the mark.
They DON'T want to hold the communities responsible, so they blame it on "racism" and unequality in society. Most second generation model minorities(asians, indians, eastern europeans) are very literate in the english language and have college graduation rates of well over 50%, while blacks still struggle despite affirmative action and having more money thrown at them.