[NLA] Article from The Nation

[LitNetJose@aol.com]

Dear Friends:

I am not quite sure how much difference it makes for other publications, 
which have been cited here, whose reporters have even commented here, and who 
have been the subject of conversations here, to be a source of information to 
the NLA, than for us to have received additional perspectives from a 
publication, such as "The Nation". 

I found "The Nation" article to be intriguing.  As I read it, I imagined that 
there might be a backlash of sorts from those of differing perspectives or 
politics.  The nature of our sharing of information here borders on the edges 
of politics, if not straight out dwells in the midst of it.  Our motivation 
for being here revolves around our involvement in influencing policy to 
positively affect our field.  Surely, if we like, we can tag "The Nation" 
article as being liberal in nature and of being critical of the President and 
the administration.  It is consistent for us to read matters here and to  
maintain tolerance for diverse perspectives.  It comes with the 
package...once we open NLA email.

In our times here, some have cried "foul" for being asked to shorten their 
messages...and have, at times labeled this request as an attempt at 
censorship.  No one wants the reality or perception of that.  And, anyway, 
after all was said and done, we have business as usual here, and much fair 
exchange of information for which others will naturally find disagreement.  
And people still submit their long messages!  In short, (if it is not too 
late!) it is healthy to be exposed to opinions for which we might not agree 
or for which we might feel discomfort. For me, "The Nation" article was a 
breath of fresh air.  It was long and I read it.  That's something I have not 
done here in a while.  I did not find the article to be "a distraction".  And 
I am certainly comfortable if people in the field want to defend the 
administration.  They have all the right, and, even, the responsibility to do 
so.  I will, however, be bothered by ongoing surrender of our concerns for 
those we serve because of political preferences, political investments, and 
over-dosage of political correctness.

(Also, not to distract from the focus of this correspondence...but...I did 
not know that we were flawed as test-givers...and that the issues we have 
with the TABE...and other assessment tools, are really a result of our shoddy 
work! )

NLA presents an open forum for those who support the field and the people it 
serves.  It has been interesting "listening" to the conversations about the 
NIFL board appointees.  We have, in general, been very polite, rational, 
correct, strategic, professional, and concerned.  However, we do have to 
understand what or who it is we are dealing with in our efforts to support 
the field.  We have obstacles with which we need to contend.  "The Nation" 
article sheds some light on what those obstacles "might" be.  Let's keep the 
light on so we can keep seeing where we are going and what we are doing.  
Also...let's keep the doors open.  Fresh air and new surroundings are good.

Jose Cruz
President, National Alliance of Urban Literacy Coalitions
Network Director, California Literacy
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