Reflections On Brandt

Reflections on Brandt

I had a hard time relating this essay to anything other than my beliefs of what society's responsibilities are on a local level in this country. I honestly do not see how anyone could ague against sponsorship for something as necessary as literacy, a basic human need. To raise the awareness of illiteracy by way of media facilitates a more educated society. It is an advertisement for empowerment. I do, however, think this should be a multi-lingual endeavor by the sponsors. As Brant discusses, everybody's literacy needs are different and groups need to be somewhat compartmentalized. Natural association will do this to an extent---religious organizations, supervisors, teachers, etc... However, even those groups need to be broken down into different functional levels. Although Mrs. Hong and 14-year-old Danny Hernandez are both members of X church, it is likely that they do not have the same needs. Not only are sponsors and media important, but as are volunteers to work the actual literacy programs. There is a severe shortage of literacy volunteers right here in our own community. I disagree with Brant's final comment on teaching approach. She suggests that we not try and prepare students more efficiently for the job market, but show them how to pursue literacy and how literacy is in pursuit of them. If a person is unable to communicate in a work environment, it is pretty darn plausible that they realize that literacy is confining them. Because of the direness of illiteracy, education attempts should focus on making these people as communicative as possible.