Return-Path: <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.9.3/8.9.0.Beta5/980425bjb) with SMTP id XAA08081; Mon, 31 Jan 2000 23:30:01 -0500 (EST) Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2000 23:30:01 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <1a.585bc2.25c7707a@aol.com> Errors-To: alcrsb@langate.gsu.edu Reply-To: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Ansongreen@aol.com To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:472] NLA Cross-post Domestic Violence X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Mailer: Unknown (No Version) Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Status: OR Friends: The messsage below is cross posted from the NLA. ____________________________________________________ Andres brings up good point when he mentions the omission of violence in Quigley's wonderful book. As I do my own work, I constantly go back to see what he says on certain subjects and find violence and abuse to be a regretful gap. I hate for violence it to be relegated as possibly one entry in a list of "situational barriers". It is really more pervasive than many think. Jenny Horsman brings up the sentiment among programs that "it (violence) is not happening to our learners" and other such notions. I to have heard similar responses, more along the lines of "that's just something the poor have to deal with themselves." I bring the following anecdote up to return to the discussion around the summit. Perhaps a dynamic I sense on the "micro level" here in Texas finds a complement in our larger debate. Follow me here… As part of my work on violence for my NIFL fellowship, I am providing a series of free day-long workshops to educators in Texas. I have worked as a trainer in many of the programs in Texas (and recently out of state in Oklahoma, Indiana and Massachusetts). The issue of violence and its impact on our learners and programs is well known by many practitioners, and is an easy discussion topic to facilitate amongst them. Two weeks ago I made a "call" for free workshops throughout the state on a Texas listserv dedicated to program administrators, directors, coordinators. These are quality, FREE professional development workshops facilitated by two of my project participants and me. From this e-list (which goes out to well over one hundred persons statewide) I received responses from two (2) programs (One an adult education provider, the other a workforce development group). I can't help but think that this may point to a communication breakdown between practitioners (who will engage this issue) and administrators who often ultimately direct the professional development of their practitioners, supposedly based on the practitioners "needs";….. practitioners tell me they "need" this training. Now there may well be other factors working here (time limitations for PD or other constraints----I know there is a lot of energy spent training teachers for new mandated standardized tests in Texas) but I can't help but wonder if there is more to it… some sort of underling reluctance to engage a topic so pervasive (or controversial), yet so connected to program success (retention, completion, meeting needs…) Looking at the summit discussion on this list, we see this, and have seen various "divides" being addressed on several issues. Last week, violence generated discussion both on this list and the women and literacy list This is good and I hope it builds awareness. As Janet Isserlis said, "It's not just "some of the people" in some marginalized space who are affected by violence." It involves us all, in the classroom, in our programs, in our communities etc. Jenny Horsman's book is a wonderful bridge for those who want to reach key elements in this matter. But I urge you to look at some of the other reports that have recently been released that look at violence and abuse in broader (i.e. not just education) terms. Project for Research on Welfare, Work, and Domestic Violence http://www.ssw.umich.edu/trapped Population Reports: Ending Violence Against Women (A recently released worldwide survey of violence against women published by Johns Hopkins.) http://www.jhuccp.org/pr/l11edsum.stm Laura Lein's book _Making Ends Meet_ is also critical reading for understanding the various "violences" against women related to poverty. As ever, Anson
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