Return-Path: <nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id iABH9UR03557; Thu, 11 Nov 2004 12:09:30 -0500 (EST) Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 12:09:30 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <397E918AA64A9D4586C3B78A056618D30243D523@srv-exch2k.bristol.mass.edu> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Gabb, Sally S." <sgabb@bristol.mass.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-AALPD:1738] RE: FW: critical literacy X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 3076 Lines: 28 Andrea and all ! Thanks to Andrea for the note - I agree with using 'caste' in this way - a designated role in social order that assigns people to a slot through predetermined characteristics. Using 'caste' in this way suggests that despite more and less privileged positions within the caste, there are boundaries for the entire group; I've been reading 'A Fine Balance' - a novel set within the caste system in India by Rohinton Mistry - reading this story of struggles to escape this overt system have reminded me of struggles in our own society against a 'caste' system that is much more subtle - such as being female in the US. In my posting, I was referring to my 'privilege' as the comfort and support I enjoyed during my childhood as a member of the white 'Euro-American' middle class. I was basically enclosed within the dominant culture, wearing those cultural/class blinders that reinforce ignorance of the struggles of others. You're right, it took the experiences of adolescence and emerging adulthood to bring me crashing up against the cell walls of the female 'caste'. In addition, as a gay woman I live on the slippery slope that offers safety in invisibility, risk in self identification. Nevertheless, the trappings of class and education still have given me 'escape routes' not available to those not afforded such privilege. My challenge is always to learn and re learn - to resist the idea that I can 'know' those things I have never experienced - poverty and discrimination with no escape route. I do believe people like myself have a clear and legitimate role as a partner in efforts to create a equitable and just social organization. But our legitimacy must be based in clear understanding of who we are, and of the lessons we must continue to learn. In ABE we preach a litany that we are 'learning partners' with our learners - we quote Freire's wonderful phrases - that with our learners we create and re create knowledge together. But we gotta keep ourselves honest. Not easy, but exciting, energizing - my source of hope for the species. In dark times I choose to hang on to the positive possibilities that are the gifts of the adult learners I know - who are my teachers.. I do tend to go on - but these dialogues challenge me to examine my beliefs and assumptions. Thanks to all. Sal -----Original Message----- From: AWilder106@aol.com [mailto:AWilder106@aol.com] Sent: Tue 11/9/2004 12:22 PM To: Multiple recipients of list Cc: Subject: [NIFL-AALPD:1726] RE: FW: critical literacy Sally, I've got a question. You talked of yourself as "privileged" (though after 33 years in ABE maybe not rich). It seeems to me, and others may dispute this, that women form a caste (Ogbu term). Evidence? Women earn I think it is 77cents/dollar for what men earn--comparable jobs. It's not education--I think there are higher rates of female graduation from both high school and college. So I am tossing in "caste" as a possible descriptor of women's position. What do you think? Thanks. Andrea
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