Patti Muggivan, teacher, librarian -- Our First Guest Writer

(Note: SVDP-ALC welcomes qualified guests to write for our blog, from time to time, on topics relevant to literacy or to subject matter from which our students and school can benefit. Today we have our first guest writer to our blog. Her name is Patti Muggivan. She has taught in secondary schools in Jefferson Parish and Orleans Parish, and she is presently a librarian with the Jefferson Parish Public Library. Jefferson is a suburb of New Orleans. [Note for non-locals, Louisiana does not have counties; we have parishes instead.] Literacy*AmeriCorps has worked very closely with the New Orleans Public Library all the past year, so we understand the importance of the library for our students. Patti and her husband John have been friends of my family now for many years, and it is a true honor to have her as our blog's first guest writer. Thanks, Patti, Adrian)

Literacy and New Orleans
By Patti Muggivan

Every time I find myself in New Orleans proper, I am intrigued by its beauty and the easy-appearing nature of the city. But I have always been aware that that environment is deceiving. I think that New Orleans is riddled with crime and people living desperate lives. For me, literacy at all levels is essential for recovery [after the storm]. Literacy was important both pre-Katrina and post-Katrina. Reconstructing entire neighborhoods, with various demolitions and rebuildings, is very difficult. But so too is developing positive attitudes about teaching skills and learning skills. It must be done one person at a time. Improvements in law and government programs are also important.

I was watching the TV news the other day, and there was a story about Darfur and Sudan. I wanted to change the channel. It was so awful seeing a dying child. As I watched, a doctor being interviewed in the news story was saying, "When you ask Americans about the situation, they will say we didn't know. Two years from now they will say the same thing, and conditions will remain unchanged." But if there can be even a chance for Darfur and Sudan, then surely there must be a chance for New Orleans.

(Yes, that's quite a powerful comparison. And in both cases, the real issue, as the doctor implied, is neglect. By ignoring the problems -- both in Darfur and in New Orleans -- the problems only get worse. -- Adrian)