NLA Discussion: Elitist politics

[Dave Speights]

With all due respect to Marsha Tait, I believe Michael Powell was
saying that he wanted but could not afford a Mercedes, not than a computer.
Nevertheless, he was making an analogy to the "digital divide," so Marsha's
reading is essentially correct.

Dave Speights, Editor
Report on Literacy Programs
Business Publishers Inc.
8737 Colesville Road, Suite 1100
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 587-6300, ext. 349
dspeights at bpinews.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Marsha Tait [mailto:mtait at frontiernet.net]
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2001 6:04 PM
To: nla at world.std.com
Subject: NLA Discussion: Elitist politics


Occasionally I read postings on this Listserv that refer to the 
"Washington literacy power elite".  I always find myself wondering who 
these people are, or are alleged to be.  I spend quite a bit of time in 
Washington advocating on behalf of the AELS and LVA specifically, and 
don't feel that either I, or the other members of the National Coalition 
for Literacy with whom I work, fall readily into such a category.  
Perhaps the power elite is meeting in secret, and I haven't been 
invited.  Or perhaps I am perceived to be part of it, notwithstanding 
that none of us seem to have that much power in this field, at least as 
measured by the relative size of our appropriations.

In any case, I read an item in last week's Report on Literacy Programs 
that truly did strike me as elitist, and one that perhaps we, the 
subscribers to this listserv, should all be concerned about.  The item 
refers to Michael Powell's first speech as Chairman of the Federal 
Communications Commission in which he commented on the digital divide.  
According to RLP, he said "I think there is a Mercedes divide.  I would 
like to have one [a computer], but I can't afford one."

Maybe we should spend some time here figuring out how to influence those 
in the new administration who do have power and who may have such views.

****************************************************************
LVA is committed to innovation, leadership, and quality.
****************************************************************
Marsha L. Tait
President
Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc.
635 James St.
Syracuse, NY  13203
315-472-0001
mailto:mtait at literacyvolunteers.org
http://www.literacyvolunteers.org



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