Decolonizing Literacy : Mexican Lives in the Era of Global Capitalism

Drawing from case studies of marginalized individuals in Mexico and the U.S., this book explores the colonizing concept of illiteracy, as well as how the long social history of conquest and colonization, plunder and globalization, is inscribed in the personal histories of today’s global outcasts. Millions of descendants of the former colonized and enslaved peoples around the world are now classified as poor readers, bad writers, and unskilled learners. Are they illiterate or silenced people? Are they global citizens or global outcasts? Drawing from case studies of flesh and blood individuals in Mexico and the US, this book questions the colonizing images of the educationally excluded as `illiterates', and explores the ways in which the long social history of conquest and colonization, plunder and globalization, is inscribed in the personal histories of today's subjugated people. It argues that rather than `limited literacy skills' they face systematic lack of freedom to speak, act, and make decisions about their own lives. Literacy, thus, must be seen as a practice of voice and citizenship, rather than a technical skill. --Book Jacket

Millions of descendants of the former colonized and enslaved peoples around the world are now classified as poor readers, bad writers, and slow learners. Are they illiterate or silenced people? Are they global citizens or global outcasts? Drawing from case studies of flesh and blood individuals in Mexico and the U.S., this book questions the colonizing images of the “illiterate”, and explores the ways in which the long social history of conquest and colonization, plunder and globalization, is inscribed in the personal histories of today’s subjugated people. It argues that rather than “limited literacy skills” they face systematic lack of freedom to speak, act, and make decisions about their own lives. Literacy, thus, is understood as a key practice of voice and citizenship.

Contents Acknowledgments Preface Part 1: Winds Chapter 1. Against the Winds Chapter 2. The Un-Making of the Illiterate Part 2. Voices Chapter 3. Agents Chapter 4. Transnationals Chapter 5. Survivors Part 3. Politics Chapter 6. Literacy Politics and Policies Chapter 7. Decolonizing Literacy Notes References Index