HI all,

Thanks Daphne, as well, for a well balanced and on target response.

I don't take great issue with either the original post or the hypothesized
alternative. While I wouldn't have posted either message for unrelated
reasons, I do think it is important to acknowledge and discuss religious and
cultural observances without undue fear of being chastised. One of the
outcomes of literacy, in my perspective, is to be able to maneuver such
cultural terrain with success. Religion can provide another productive
context within which to advance literacy.

To discuss or acknowledge a religion, or inform of its customs, is not to
necessarily advocate for a religion. I suggest that difference is a critical
distinction.

Cheers,

Andrew Pleasant

Interested in health literacy curricula development? Come join the
discussion in Calgary. See
http://www.centreforliteracy.qc.ca/whatsnew/Healthlitinst/HLinstIndex.htmfor
details.
Please feel free to forward.



On Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 9:39 PM, Holly Dilatush <holly at dilatush.com> wrote:

> Daphne, all,

> Regardless of where this conversation goes, I would like to extend my

> deepest and most genuine appreciation for Daphne's response and post

(copied

> below).  It is, in my opinion, a beautiful modeling of the best in us --

an

> approach that I hope everyone can find an entry point in --

> My first reaction to Ochieng's posts was appreciation.  I'm still

pondering

> Daphne's challenge to us with the "what if" posed below.  I have often

> deleted or curbed references from posts I've authored, to avoid such

> confrontation as this... but I value this confrontation -- it is the

reality

> of many of our worlds and world views --

> as a dear friend of mine said recently, (in a rephrasing of advice we may

> all have heard before), "It's not the circumstances that get us down, but

> the way we react to them."  Donna W, August 2008

> With gratitude,

> holly

>

> On Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 9:26 PM, Daphne Greenberg <alcdgg at langate.gsu.edu>

> wrote:

>>

>> One of the examples of suitable topics for this discussion list, from the

>> posted description on the NIFL Web page

>> (http://nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/diversity/about_diversity.html), is

>> "religious differences and adult literacy classrooms". So Ochieng's

original

>> post (especially with the introductory sentence) seems on topic to me. I

see

>> two possible examples of utilizing the rich information provided by

Ochieng.

>> One example would be directed at programs who wanted to focus this month

on

>> understanding the Muslim faith. To do so would be similar to programs

>> deciding to focus on another month on the Jewish faith (during their high

>> holiday season), the Christian faith (during Christmas), women (during

>> Women's month) or African Americans  (during African American month).

This

>> would be especially appropriate for ESL programs that want to introduce

>> their students to the different peoples that make up our country. As

another

>> example, it seems to me that her post lists a few of the types of issues

>> that could be discussed, read about, written about in an ABE class:

>> "injustices, inequality, wrongs

>>  visited upon the poor and vulnerable, unity of the ummah, corruption,

>> leadership, marginalization, environment, prejudices and stereotypes,

etc. "

>> Both of these examples seem to me to be reasonable and worthwhile for the

>> Diversity and Literacy discussion list.

>>

>> Perhaps some people may take issue to the following phrases and

sentences:

>>

>> "blessed opportunity" , "mercy and forgiveness from Allah" and especially

>> "May Allah (SWT) grant all of us us the ibadah(devotion) of the night of

>> Qadr(blessed night) and make us the best ummah."  Perhaps for some, these

>> cross the line between description into endorsement  of a particular

>> religious faith. I don't know if this violates any government rules, and

I

>> do not think we have anything in the NIFL policies that addresses this,

so I

>> believe that this is new territory.

>>

>> So, Kearney, thanks for your post and raising an interesting question for

>> all of us to ponder. I would like all list subscribers to think about

>> Ochieng's post and Kearney's response. What do you as literacy

professionals

>> interested in diversity -- think would be good guidelines for the

discussion

>> lists, and also for the classroom, of what is and is not appropriate to

say

>> about religion or faith. I think it's a fascinating topic. Perhaps there

are

>> articles written about religion, faith and the public school classroom. I

>> don't know.

>>

>> I am curious, would people have posted Ochieng's post? What if someone

>> posted the below message-would your answer be the same or different:

>>

>> Many of you have Christian students who are celebrating the blessed

>> holiday on December 25th. I would like to wish them Merry Christmas. It

is a

>> day of deep reflection in celebration of  the birth of Jesus Christ.

>>

>> It is a blessed opportunity to reflect upon and grapple with the issues

>> that afflict the souls of not only the Christian Community but the

greater

>> creation of God.

>>

>> It is also the time to ponder and generate solutions to such issues as

>> injustices, inequality, wrongs visited upon the poor and vulnerable,

unity

>> of the Christian Community, corruption, leadership, marginalization,

>> environment, prejudices and stereotypes, etc.

>>

>> Christmas is an important holiday of piety, family and community sharing,

>> selflessness and a time to seek God's mercy.

>>

>> May God grant all of us the ability to appreciate this holy day  and make

>> us the best people possible.

>>

>> Would you have posted a message like this? Why or why not?

>>

>> Daphne

>>

>>

>>

>> >>> Kearney Lykins <kearney_lykins at yahoo.com> 09/03/08 4:50 PM >>>

>> I am surprised that no one has yet commented on the propriety of using a

>> government listserve to circulate religious doctrine.

>>

>> Has The Diversity and Literacy Discussion List now become a vehicle for

>> promoting religious holidays and disseminating prayers?

>>

>>

>>  Regards,

>>

>> Kearney Lykins

>>

>

> --

> Holly (Dilatush)

> Charlottesville VA

>

> holly at dilatush.com

>

> "Live with intention. Share inside~out smiles, inspire hope, seek awe and

> nurture in nature." (original by Holly)

>

> www.tales-around-the-world.blogspot.com

> www.abavirtual-learningcenter.org

> www.blogblossoms.edublogs.org

> http://haiku-technology.wikispaces.com

> *Twitter, plurk, and Skype IDs = smilin7

>

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