Literacy Archives - The Future in the Present

Student Outcomes Research Project

April 20, 2021 Leave a Comment

The Student Outcomes Research Project was developed and conducted by the Division of Adult & Continuing Education at the Office of Academic Affairs of the City University of New York under a contract awarded by the Literacy Assistance Center. The Project was intended to determine the changes in students’ lives which result from their […]

Review of Why Can’t U Teach Me 2 Read?

April 20, 2021 Leave a Comment

I am surprised that, to the best of my knowledge, Beth Fertig’s new book, Why Can’t U Teach Me 2 Read? (published by Farrar, Strauus and Giroux), has received so little attention It is a very good book—well written, fair and even suspenseful in its own way. The book contains multiple story lines, mostly complementary […]

Literacy and the Remaking of the Working Class

April 20, 2021 Leave a Comment

Introduction We have been reminded more than a few times over the past three days that there is no literacy with a capital L. There are instead practices, more or less elaborate and codified, which reflect and shape the social relationships of their practitioners. [1] We have also heard that we still are not quite […]

I have been a political activist for more than fifty years. Soon after college, I began driving a taxi in New York City and became an active member of the Taxi Rank and File Coalition. That experience profoundly shaped my views and I remain friends with many of my taxi comrades.

In 1978, I stopped driving and entered into education work–which I then did for more than thirty years–almost all of it at the City University of New York. That also profoundly shaped my views.

At the same time, I continued my political activities–most importantly as an editor of Race Traitor, an editor of Insurgent Notes and part of the editorial group of Hard Crackers.

The writings collected here reflect all those experiences. My intention is to regularly post new things that I’ve written.

However you found your way here, I hope that you find something of value. I would really like hearing from you about your thoughts and reactions. Write me here.