[NLA] [Fwd: [NIFL-ESL:7324] COABE plantation tour]

[Sally Gabb]

Thank you Sherrie Claiborne for your response welcoming a dialogue about 
these important issues at the COABE conference in Charleston.  As I have 
indicated on this list, I am prepared to lead a discussion around these 
issues, and hope to discuss with you when/where/how.  As I have indicated, I 
was preparing a letter to the COABE conference committee, to ask for just 
such an opportunity.  Today I spoke with Gail Lawson, president elect of 
COABE, and indicated to her that I look forward to leading a dialogue around 
issues of racial sensitivity, bias, and tolerance, and how we as adult 
educators can continue to raise our own consiousness about these issues.

As I indicated in my first e mail to this list, I recognize as a white woman 
raised in the South, and one who was privileged to be active in Civil Rights 
activities, that our culture of racism, although improved from those harsh 
days of the 1950's and before, continues to lull us into unintended lack of 
sensitivity.  I have made many errors, and learn daily from  my learners, 
friends, and colleagues.

I hope to focus the discussion on resources and strategies for racial and 
cultural awareness, for ourselves as adult education professionals, and for 
our classrooms.  I welcome any suggestions to this end. As director of one 
of five centers for ABE professional development in Massachusetts, we 
constantly seek both resources and strategies to confront these difficult 
issues.  While it can be uncomfortable, without confronting the issues, we 
will never be able to achieve progress in areas of racial and cultural 
understanding, tolerance and social justice.   I hope to have direct 
communication with you and others in the COABE leadeship and conference 
committee during the next week.

Once again, I welcome this opportunity to raise my own awareness and 
sensitivity, as we work towards mitigating bias, increasing awareness, and 
creating a society with true social justice.

Sally Gabb
Director, SABES SE


>From: Sherry Claiborne <claibornes at ten-nash.ten.k12.tn.us>
>Reply-To: nla at lists.literacytent.org
>To: nla at lists.literacytent.org
>Subject: Re: [NLA] [Fwd: [NIFL-ESL:7324] COABE plantation tour]
>Date: Fri, 01 Mar 2002 11:21:22 -0500
>
>Thanks to all that have participated in the Plantation Tour discussion for 
>the COABE conference.  The list serv is the perfect place to raise 
>consciousness and have   a discussion to stregthen our field. As President 
>of the Commission on Adult Basic Educaton and after having a discussion 
>with the SC conference  planners,  we would like to apologize for appearing 
>insensitive.  This was not our intent.  We regret that the narrative has 
>caused any ill  feelings and have made the decision to cancel this optional 
>tour.  We are also working to have an open discussion at the conference .  
>We will let you know as soon as to the place and time. . We look forward to 
>seeing you at the conference in Charleston and please know that we are 
>always open for discussion that will strengthen and unite our profession.   
>          Sherrie Claiborne, COABE President




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