Hi Michael,

I've thought about your question, "Can human capital and social justice 
co-exist?"  If by human capital you mean people as capital in business, 
and social justice as having something to do with a rough equality of 
chances and future prospects, then I think that, indeed, the question 
is whether  or not these two can co-exist. in our country and globally.

And yes, i do agree with your use also of "oppression" to describe the 
(historical) situation of American Indians in boarding schools.  Many 
try for social justice in the education of African Americans, a way to 
right past wrongs.  (I hope I'm not sounding too jingoistic.)  i am 
unfamiliar with any problems in educating Native Americans in 
Washington schools--do you view this as de-racination?  In your view, 
what are the reasons why Indian children fall behind their classmates?  
Please excuse any glibness on my part in previous posts, a lot has been 
happening on my side of the computer keyboard this week, and I haven't 
been as careful with my language as I should be.

Thanks.

Andrea


On Jun 13, 2007, at 4:19 PM, Michael Tate wrote:


> Hi everyone! Literacy can have a role in social justice, but it can 

> also

> be a tool of oppression.  It often depends upon a person's point of 

> view

> about which is which.

>

> The boarding schools that Indian children were forcibly sent to, to

> learn the three Rs and to be civilized were certainly tools of

> oppression, but they were considered by some to be great opportunities

> for Indian children to lose their "backward ways".  Sadly, these 

> schools

> continued to operate in the USA and Canada into the 1970s.

>

> I think the question for our time is can human capital and social

> justice co-exist?

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Michael Tate

>  (360) 704-4329

>

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: povertyracewomen-bounces at nifl.gov

> [mailto:povertyracewomen-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Andrea Wilder

> Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 9:34 AM

> To: The Poverty, Race,Women and Literacy Discussion List

> Subject: [PovertyRaceWomen 790] Re: Is Literacy a Social Justice Issue?

>

> No, it isn't part of any rallies I have ever  heard of. Neither is

> medical care, but anyone who thinks of this for more than a couple of

> minutes, and who reads  the newspapers, books and reports, know that

> this is true. Teachers in a town near Boston were striking over medical

> benefits. Is there anyone who disagrees with this? I can't imagine this

> point of view, myself, but I may exist in a little bubble on these

> issues.  Any bubble bursters?

>

> Andrea

>

> On Jun 13, 2007, at 12:11 PM, Daphne Greenberg wrote:

>

>> If it is a social justice issue, is it ever framed in this way? For

>> example, is the right to good adult literacy instruction ever part of

>> civil rights rallies?

>>

>>>>> Andrea Wilder <andreawilder at comcast.net> 6/11/2007 8:54 PM >>>

>> Of course literacy is a social justice issue--we live in a literate

>> culture our Constitution is a text, so are laws.  If you can't read

> you

>> can't  participate fully.  I, too, would be interested in hearing

> other

>> views.

>>

>> Andrea

>>

>> On Jun 11, 2007, at 7:54 PM, Isserlis, Janet wrote:

>>

>>> and, if I may further complicate the issue - how do practitioners

> view

>>> the issue?  How do we talk about social justice among one another?

> Is

>>> there a difference in our discussions with each other and with

>>> learners?  Who decides what's "just"?

>>> This isn't just a rhetorical question - I'm wondering about how we

>>> share views respectfully where other colleagues and/or learners might

>>> not share our own opinions about what social justice is or isn't.  IF

>>> we see literacy as a critcal piece of access (to information,

>>> opportunity, avenues of power) then social justice seems to be a very

>>> strong element, in ensuring that adults have the requisite skills ,

>>> information and knowledge to access opportunities.

>>> But, are there other factors that might make this proposition less

>>> evident ?

>>> Janet Isserlis

>>>

>>>

>>> -----Original Message-----

>>> From: povertyracewomen-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Daphne Greenberg

>>> Sent: Mon 6/11/2007 7:31 PM

>>> To: povertyracewomen at nifl.gov

>>> Subject: [PovertyRaceWomen 785]  Is Literacy a Social Justice Issue?

>>>

>>> Recently, 2 list members brought up literacy as a social justice

>>> issue. Lilian shared excerpts of her article called "Health Literacy

>>> is a Social Justice Issue that Affects Us All." and Sarah shared

>>> information about an informal gathering at the U.S. Social Forum in

>>> Atlanta to discuss  how to teach/facilitate adult literacy in a way

>>> that is consistent with and contributes to a vision of social

> justice.

>>>

>>> I am wondering what is the definition of social justice? Any

> thoughts?

>>> I am also wondering if other people think that literacy is a social

>>> justice issue? If yes, why? And if yes, do you feel that what you do

>>> contributes to social justice? If yes, how? Do you ever feel that you

>>> hit obstacles when trying to connect literacy to social justice? If

>>> yes, how and when? Any suggestions on how to get around the

> obstacles?

>>>

>>> Daphne

>>> ----------------------------------------------------

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>>

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>

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