tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2082226991800167507.post3289201798352099..comments2023-12-08T03:29:25.202-05:00Comments on Adult Literacy @ VCU: Mass Literacy CampaignSusan Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03203951366654414340noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2082226991800167507.post-38778143646066269992013-02-24T09:07:09.272-05:002013-02-24T09:07:09.272-05:00Susan, your analysis is right on target. I might w...Susan, your analysis is right on target. I might want to add that a history of Casa de Maryland would be a good next step, since they are the primary sponsors. What I know about them is they are a grass roots org near Langly Park MD that has been one of the best organized community based advocates for DREAM ACT reform in the US (the state of MD has come so close to passing it, yet still falls short!) Casa does work for bipartisan support. I think you may be "foregrounding" the political divide a little bit, which could lead to a " false dualism" if we chased the two party thing too assiduously. Still, you've made a great start! And I love the way you've helped us see who is "represented" as immigrants and who is not. Bravo!!!Bill Muthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12295192908023335854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2082226991800167507.post-47403885177066862852013-02-23T10:57:19.123-05:002013-02-23T10:57:19.123-05:00Hi Joyce, I'm continuing our discussion from y...Hi Joyce, I'm continuing our discussion from your "Learning to read and write" post over here. You got me thinking about how important a historical perspective can be when we critically analyze a text. In the example here, which is about immigration and citizenship, I pause to consider its historical context in our country. Obviously we are a country of immigrants. After processing thru Ellis Island in 1897, my Polish ancestors walked away citizens, free to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. They did not have to take a history test, English test, and pay a huge fee. Was it FDR who reformed immigration, set limits, etc? Anyway, in our times, citizenship/naturalization has become a complex, expensive process. Are current immigrants "victims" of the times? In other words, what has changed about inalienable rights and being an American citizen that now we require people to learn English, take a test, pay a big fee, etc.? My people didn't need to do any of that in 1897. I think the basic premise of our American way of life,the "inalienable" rights we base it on, imply it is something a person is born with. So, why do we need to put immigrants through a test, cost, etc? It seems paradoxical. But oh yeah, there are big stakeholders who stand to benefit from creating a class of "victims." As I have previously said, I see stakeholders on both sides of the issue. There is plenty of blame to go around in this mess. Whew! Thanks for listening. Susan Susan Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03203951366654414340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2082226991800167507.post-14751937167235449272013-02-22T08:47:10.576-05:002013-02-22T08:47:10.576-05:00I agree, Susan, that the union has a large stake i...I agree, Susan, that the union has a large stake in immigration reform. Union membership in general has declined over the last twenty years, and union power is great power indeed. I have a concern, though. Immigration reform is a very general term. Going back to "Coming Apart", the book I read, the author talks about bringing America back together to be the great country it can be. Simply giving citizenship to people does not make them good citizens. I think if immigration reform is going to be successful, both citizenship requirements and responsibilities need to be addressed. Sometimes it seems that so many people are afraid to speak out about their beliefs that only those with loud voices get heard. And the loud voice isn't always the one that has thought it all through.cpscathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00269967223534383786noreply@blogger.com