[NLA] Discussion: The NIFL Director Effort, Training for The Long Haul

[David J. Rosen]

NLA Colleagues,

Andy Hartman chose a good metaphor.  The adult literacy field -- adult 
learners and practitioners collectively -- has muscle. Together we have 
lifted the field a little higher. Maybe only a centimeter or two -- and 
maybe advocacy efforts with bigger public policy pectorals wouldn't be 
impressed.  But we're in training now and we'll get stronger each time 
until our muscle gets the Congressional and legislative attention and 
action which adult literacy education deserves.  Based on the last few 
weeks' experience, if we expand this kind of commitment and organization 
in every state, we will have the needed strength.

What does it mean to "expand this kind of commitment and organization?"
Myles Horton, founder of the Highlander Center in Tennessee, said in his 
autobiography _The Long Haul_ that U. "Utah" Phillips, the activist folk 
singer, once gave him a little pin that said "One Battle, Many Fronts." 
  Myles Horton said about the pin, and about the role of the Highlander 
Education Center:

	"Instead of saying, 'We are going to organize,' we say
	'Our job is to help people who may become organizers.'
	We try to develop people's ability to analyze, to
	understand problems so that they can develop into
	organizers or other types of leaders."

We need activists who will in each new effort send faxes and letters and 
make follow-up phone calls. But we also need many more grass roots 
practitioner and adult learner organizers and advocacy leaders within 
our states, communities and adult education programs. Organizers and 
other types of literacy leaders are needed to talk with other adult 
learners and practitioners about the importance of literacy advocacy, do 
workshops on how to do advocacy, form adult literacy advocacy organizing 
committees, and create phone and fax trees, and e-mail lists, to get the 
word out to other adult literacy activists who will reach legislators.

The NLA list has evolved in the past few weeks.  Public policy advocacy 
has been de-mystified, made visible. Members of the national adult 
literacy advocacy community have seen activism in progress, seen that 
they are not alone. And I hope those who have been watching from the 
sidelines, learning how it works, may be ready to jump in next time.

We have needed a way that those who do take action can report back to 
the field, can be recognized by their colleagues for their efforts, and 
can see that their action -- and others' actions -- are making a 
difference. NLA Colleague, Karen Scheid, an experienced adult literacy 
advocate, wrote me that in Ohio they publish an "honor list" for those 
who have taken advocacy action.  I like that idea a lot.  I am going to 
create the "NLA Advocates Honor List."  Look for it soon.


David J. Rosen
NLA List Moderator

_______________________________________________
NLA mailing list: NLA at lists.literacytent.org
http://lists.literacytent.org/mailman/listinfo/nla
LiteracyTent: web hosting, news, community and goodies for literacy
http://literacytent.org