[PovertyRaceWomen 826] Re: Is Literacy a Social Justice Issue?
Andrea Wilder
andreawilder at comcast.net
Fri Jun 15 18:39:41 EDT 2007
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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