Literacy can be defined as the ability to read, write, and speak. One question that always seems to rack my brain is....who is it exactly that sets the standards for literacy? After reading the article on one of the provided linked websites , I noticed that there were standards set for 21st century readers and writers to be considered literate. The article read that: Twenty-first century readers and writers need to
* Develop proficiency with the tools of technology
* Build relationships with others to pose and solve problems collaboratively and cross-culturally
* Design and share information for global communities to meet a variety of purposes
* Manage, analyze and synthesize multiple streams of simultaneous information
* Create, critique, analyze, and evaluate multi-media texts
* Attend to the ethical responsibilities required by these complex environments
Given this information, it makes it seem as though there is more required to being "literate" rather than just the ability to read, write, and speak. Who is(are) the author(s) exactly to determine literacy? What about some of the people back in history who were not allowed to learn how to read? (example: slavery times) Does that make them illiterate, even it is "forced illiteracy?" Also what about the people who come to America and have a language barrier? Does that make them illiterate by the standards of America? It seems that there are many underlying variables to be considered before judging literacy.
Heres an clip that most of you may be able to relate to:
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Love the YouTube piece. Given the fact that the character is "foreign," it tied nicely into your comment regarding "forced literacy." BTW: the whole notion of forced literacy is worth pursuing further. It's the dominant culture that dictates these rules, right? Or, is it corporations these days?
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