[NLA] follow-up to a proposal to "save" the NIFL

[Eileen Eckert]

I'm responding to Gail Spangenberg's message. Gail said: I see what Andy has 
proposed as ill-advised, ill-timed, and divisive and I hope it does not go 
forward.  Not only do I think this battle is inappropriate, but I don't 
think it can be won.

And: I can't help wondering how Sandra and the superb NIFL adult literacy 
staff must be feeling right now as they follow and try to survive this 
current storm.  I think we owe them better.

First, whether Andy's proposal goes forward or not, I'm glad he offered it 
and that he, Alice, and others have explained and elaborated on the history 
and reasons for it. At times of great change and crisis, there is often a 
tension between those who want to "go along to get along" and those who want 
to take what may be seen as a quixotic stand. When even discussing the 
questions is seen as "ill-advised, ill-timed, and divisive," though, we risk 
losing the critical thinking and considered judgments that come from 
rigorous challenge and debate. The many voices and positions heard on this 
list indicate to me that despite its history, our field is still in its 
tumultuous adolescence (not that the practitioners are adolescent!). That's 
not a bad thing, just a stage in its development. To reach a false consensus 
based on political expediency is to arrest that development. I think we 
<need> to go through these debates and tensions in order to mature as a 
field. Whatever the outcome of the debate around Andy's proposal, whatever 
the result of the nomination/confirmation process, and whatever the 
short-term fate of NIFL, the field as a whole is larger than that. I hope 
that we will not rush to consensus to serve a short-term objective while 
sacrificing long-term growth and empowerment.

Second, Gail says we owe the NIFL staff better (than what?). I disagree. The 
NIFL staff has earned the respect of many in the field, but we do not "owe" 
them. Government (and its employees) serve the people in a democracy, not 
the other way around. Both NIFL staff and the list members owe learners and 
potential learners our best. We will disagree about what "the best" is, but 
adults who could benefit from basic education are the ones the field serves.

Eileen




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