In this paper, the author explains why she prefers the term "literacy animator" to "literacy educator." According to Oladumi Arigbede (1994), literacy animators view their role as assisting in the self-liberating development of people in the world who are struggling for a more meaningful life. In explaining the author's preference, the paper touches on violence against women, globalization, misappropriation of resources, male-dominated theory, education as competition, and multiple literacies. The intention is to be persuasive and provocative in order to stimulate dialogue, debate, and introspection on the purposes and actions of teachers of reading. (Contains 19 references.) (NKA)