[GLC] Ending Illiteracy

[DAVID GREENE]

Dear Friends,

I hope that all is well with you.   I have been laid up recently with hip surgery,
but have been catching up on some writing.   I am interested in getting the following
editorial published in a New York newspaper or magazine.   Do any of you have connections
that would make that possible? 
Thanks,

David Greene

Ending Illiteracy

 

It is often said that parents play an essential role, if not the most significant role in the education of children.  They can encourage, guide and aid the development of the energetic, creative and critical thinkers, who will lead our country and the world.    In spite of the importance of parents and families, we do not treat the field of adult education and literacy with respect.   In fact, we almost ignore it completely.

 

Besides the vital role as nurturers and educators, adults of many nationalities and languages make up more and more of our society.   Without doubt, a city like New York exemplifies this truth.   Our city is international, was built by immigrants and is being rebuilt by the immigrants from 150 nations.   They need additional skills and knowledge to participate effectively in the economy and in this society.   These students, so many of whom are parents of public school children, bring with them skills, perspectives and knowledge that could benefit our city.    Their experiences from around the world could broaden our understandings.   

 

An educated and informed population is the basis for real democracy, because it insures the participation of the most people with the most knowledge.    If the aim of a government is to control its people, it will maintain their ignorance.   The less informed, the more easily the wool will be pulled over their or our eyes.    The position of the German Third Reich under Hitler, was to tell and repeat a lie convincingly until it became the "truth."   This dangerous road bares striking similarities to politics in Albany and Washington today.

 

The remedy for ignorance, has always been knowledge, and it can certainly mean power when it is applied to real problems. A real problem that we face today, is the lack of education programs for parents and other adults in our city.  Here are some statistics to mull over in surveying the magnitude of this problem.  In New York State, it is conservatively estimated that 28% of our adults read at or below a fifth grade level, too low to participate effectively in society.   This amounts to nearly 4.8 million New Yorkers.  In New York City, the Grassroots Literacy Coalition estimates that nearly 3 million people need literacy and adult education classes. Yet, there are only seats for some 60 thousand adults.   This means that only 2% of those who need classes have them.  To make matters much worse, providers of these services have been forced to cut classes and programs every year.

                                     

We need a dramatic expansion in literacy programs.  A New York Bill of Rights for Adult Education has been introduced into City Council by Letitia James, and already has the support of twenty council members.  It is part of a campaign to prioritize the education of adults and to end illiteracy.   Please support this effort.

 

David Greene, Co Chairman

Grassroots Literacy Coalition

32 Broadway, 10th Floor

New York, New York 10004

212-803-3336

718-964-8099 ©

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