Literacy = Power
Literacy is one of the most powerful tools we humans can access. Yet, for many of our brothers and sisters around the world, those in power deny them literacy.
Paulo Freire, the esteemed educator from Brazil, taught that when we teach people to speak/read/write, we give them the tools to "read" their world. Most political scientists will attest to the fact that when a power is planning to overtake a population, one of the first things they do is destroy the native language by making it criminal to speak it. When people are not allowed to speak their own language, they cannot "read" (understand) their world. They become fear-filled, thus easy to manipulate.
It gives me great pleasure as a teacher of reading and writing to empower my students to be able to utilize the tools they need to understand the world around them. When people are able to communicate with others with confidence, their lives have richness, a depth that is not present when they are unable to relate their needs, wants, and feelings.
The button to the right of this window will take readers to The Literacy Site. This site is part of the Greater Good Network stores. If you click on that button, the sponsors of the site will buy books for children around the world. You do not have to spend a dime!
If you want to know how the books get to the children, visit Room to Read. This organization,"...partners with local communities throughout the developing world to establish schools, libraries, and other educational infrastructure." Books from Greater Good Network go to this effort.
Another project helped by Greater Good is First Book. This organization, "... provides new books to children in need addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy – access to books."
It doesn't get better than that!
Please join me during this month in which we celebrate the joys of reading by supporting the Literacy Site and clicking the button. Help all people gain the skills to live productive lives in today's world. Share a gift that can change a life. It's just a click away...go ahead...you can do it!
Thank You!
Paulo Freire, the esteemed educator from Brazil, taught that when we teach people to speak/read/write, we give them the tools to "read" their world. Most political scientists will attest to the fact that when a power is planning to overtake a population, one of the first things they do is destroy the native language by making it criminal to speak it. When people are not allowed to speak their own language, they cannot "read" (understand) their world. They become fear-filled, thus easy to manipulate.
It gives me great pleasure as a teacher of reading and writing to empower my students to be able to utilize the tools they need to understand the world around them. When people are able to communicate with others with confidence, their lives have richness, a depth that is not present when they are unable to relate their needs, wants, and feelings.
The button to the right of this window will take readers to The Literacy Site. This site is part of the Greater Good Network stores. If you click on that button, the sponsors of the site will buy books for children around the world. You do not have to spend a dime!
If you want to know how the books get to the children, visit Room to Read. This organization,"...partners with local communities throughout the developing world to establish schools, libraries, and other educational infrastructure." Books from Greater Good Network go to this effort.
Another project helped by Greater Good is First Book. This organization, "... provides new books to children in need addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy – access to books."
It doesn't get better than that!
Please join me during this month in which we celebrate the joys of reading by supporting the Literacy Site and clicking the button. Help all people gain the skills to live productive lives in today's world. Share a gift that can change a life. It's just a click away...go ahead...you can do it!
Thank You!
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Comments
Thanks for this information. It is a great service to give others the tools to decipher their world, where literacy is like a magic wand.
I think you will enjoy the poetry festival excerpt from this week's Bill Moyers journal if you haven't already seen it. Enjoy!
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/03062009/watch3.html
It is so nice to hear from you!
Yes, reading to our children is so important. Children who are read to have a much easier time learning in school.
Your daughter is very blessed to have a wonderful mother like you.
Blessings, Linda
As for literacy, I'm all for it! I can't imagine a life without books and reading in it.
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