[NLA] Discussion: Working effectively with the media

[David Rosen]

NLA Colleagues,

Among Pat Fina's many useful suggestions to get media attention, I would

like to comment on this:

>"....One of my fondest fantasies is that Hollywood discovers us. One
> sympathetically portrayed adult learner as a cast member of a TV
> series or one dynamic hit movie would do more to educate the
> public than a raft of midnight PSAs. Another fond fantasy is that
> professional sports teams discover us. ......"

Some may remember the Project Literacy U.S. (PLUS) campaign launched
several years ago by major television media.  There were
made-for-television movies with people who had reading difficulties,
PSA's, newspaper feature articles and more.  The PLUS campaign had many
benefits, and some disappointments.   Americans became aware that many
family, friends and community members may have difficulty with reading,
writing and other basic skills.  In some areas of the country the
campaign resulted in adults coming forward to get help, and more
volunteers to offer help.  I was disappointed that PLUS did not result
significantly increase public resources to meet the needs, that some of
the PSA's and T.V. programs which incorporated literacy issues were
condescending to adult learners, and that little attention was paid to
the need for English for speakers of other languages.

We need another national media campaign, an improvement upon PLUS, which

focuses not on literacy, English language, and other basic skill needs,
but on the benefits of addressing these needs.  (Incidentally, I think
"return on investment" is a useful concept.  I want American taxpayers
to agree that more of their tax dollars should be invested in adult
literacy education, and I want them to see what the return on that
investment is to their family, community, and the economy.)  I invite
others on the NLA list to share their thoughts about what a national
adult literacy media campaign should look like, and I hope the National
Coalition for Literacy, or some of its member organizations might work
with the national television, radio and newspaper media to take this on.

Pat's suggested that we need Hollywood involved, so I also want to call
your attention to a beautifully done, useful short video on learning
differences called Ennis' Gift.  It will be found (free, in QuickTime
video) on the Ennis Crosby Foundation Web site at
            http://www.hellofriend.org/store/gift_bb.html
The video includes well-known actors, athletes, artists and other
prominent people who have learning differences (what some call learning
difficulties or learning disabilities) such as:  James Earl Jones, Henry

Winkler, Charles Schwab, Danny Glover, Lindsay Wagner, Robert
Rauschenberg, Bruce Jenner, Jack Horner and others.  Perhaps some of
these celebrities might become (or are?) national advocates for adult
literacy.  Shall we ask them?

David J. Rosen
<DJRosen at theworld.com>