query: empowerment readings

[colist at comm-org.utoledo.edu]

[ed:  thanks to Leslie and Lisa for replying to Carl's query.]

From: "Leslie Ramyk" <ccbi at core.com>

Hi Carl,

While this suggestion may be a bit academic, I found much to ponder
in "We Make the Road by Walking:  Conversations on Education and
Social Change" by Myles Horton and Paulo Freire (edited by Brenda
Bell, John Gaventa and John Peters).

>From the booksellers:
This dialogue between two of the most prominent thinkers on social
change in the twentieth century was certainly a meeting of giants.
Throughout their highly personal conversations recorded here, Horton
and Freire discuss the nature of social change and empowerment and
their individual literacy campaigns. The ideas of these men developed
through two very different channels: Horton's, from the Highlander
Center, a small, independent residential education center situated
outside the formal schooling system and the state; Freire's, from
within university and state-sponsored programs.


Leslie Ramyk
CCBI, Chicago

************************

From: Lisa VeneKlasen <lvk at justassociates.org>

Hi Carl,

My book, A New Weave of Power, People and Politics: The Action Guide for
Advocacy and Citizen Participation deals a lot with 'empowerment',
drawing
from different theory and practice from paolo freire to feminist
organizing.  You can download CHapter 4 Power and Empowerment, from our
website:  www.justassociates.org.  I think there's a lot of innovation
and
experience to draw from outside the US on this -- relevant to our work in
the US.

cheers,
Lisa


> > 
> > From: Carl Feuer <chf6 at cornell.edu>
> > 
> > Dear all,
> > 
> > I'm looking for good things to read related to  an independent 
study
> > course
> > on the topic 'Empowering the
> > Disaffected'-  getting low-wage people involved in organizing and 
in
> > struggles around community change, living wages,  worker rights,
> > unionization and other issues.   Why is this so hard?  What 
strategies
> > work?  What are common pitfalls? What organizations are doing this
> > successfully?  Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
> > Thanks,
> > In Solidarity,
> > Carl Feuer
> > 
> > Carl Feuer
> > Tompkins County Living Wage Coalition/Workers' Rights Center
> > 115 The Commons
> > Ithaca, NY 14850
> > 607/269-0409