[NLA] Fall From the Summit Continues

[George E. Demetrion]

On Sun, 10 Mar 2002 15:36:09 -0500 "Bickerton, Robert P"
<RBickerton at doe.mass.edu> writes:

  But let's also make sure we're pointed in the "right direction" as we
seek to 
>increase momentum and resolve these seemingly intractable challenges.  I
will 
>once again submit that our first step is achieving agreement, re, what
the 
>"right direction" actually is -- what I refer to as achieving a "common 
>vision."  Otherwise we'll continue to wander in the desert for another
40 or 
>more years!
>
Assuming this is feasible (and the jury is still out) the fundamental
issue remains on what value framework will/can such a common vision be
premised, including the politics of literacy that would give this shape. 
Without a coherent political culture to ground such a common ground I can
only submit that any such effort will continue to be based on shaky
ground.  Are we willing/able to truly wrestle with that or will action be
based on whatever various expediencies may seem plausible at any given
time?  While I far from dismiss the importance of such pragmatic (small
p) strategizing and believe it critical in the realm of short term
politics and therefore needs to continue, for the long-term issues
implied in Bob's note, something more comprehensive will be required that
confronts the issue of political culture full force.  I base this
assumption on the Freirian aphorism that the pedagogical is political and
the political is pedagogical "all the way down" one might say.

George Demetrion
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford
sophocles5 at juno.com


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