Hello, hello.  

 The website is a little gift for the students I have worked with at the Latino Family Services (LFS) in Detroit. I got to know about the LFS through a course at Wayne State University (ENG 3100). In the course the two aspects that we studied were literacy and golbalization.  As a person whose perceived label is still no more than an alien in this country, I was provoked by the correlation between the two themes to dedicate something local, hence the website, in relating to more specific points of the two. 

Globalization personally reminds of immigration. Sure, it is the national pressure and the topic that scores points for politicians or something that we don't talk about in public. It is a big slap in the face, at least to the face of national literacy level, when huge influx of people who don't speak English comes in and disturbs the order. 

But what order? What gives the order in our society? Since the tightened economy, especially in Michigan today, we are aware of the jobs overseas and jobs here. The jobs which now wears the new global label that are offered to the people all over the world. People still come for their own American Dream, which now has become a relative phrase like China Dream or Big-Money Dream.

So what can I say about the students in relation to the rather dense discussion of the themes above? We all (yes, all of us) are surviving in the new world with people from all over the world, if not already joined by the unknowns like Men in Black. Thus illiteracy is not solely a matter of incapability of comprehension or communication anymore, and it should accuse no-one with social labels or generalized categories. 

So, what did I actually do with the students? 

(On a lighter note) these are the questions that I asked for them to describe in writing or drawing:

1. Describe your home.

2. Your Family

3. Your favorite food

4. What is culture?

5. Do YOU want to add anything?

6. Personal negotiations with the students 

Thank you for your attention, and I hope you enjoy it. 

J Sallie H.