Thoughts on Movie Night

by Joe Conry

Picture from http://brothertowns.com/.

At MLC’s most recent Movie Night, John Gutterman from the Advocates for Human Rights introduced and led a discussion on the documentary Brother Towns by Pueblos Hermanos.

The film moves between Jacaltenango, Guatemala and Jupiter, Florida, crossing the voices of impoverished Guatemalan families with those of concerned Florida contractors, residents and civic leaders to create a compelling narrative weave.  It follows Jupiter’s mayor in her efforts to support a very successful community resource center called El Sol.  An awkward dance with state and federal officials ensues, with lawmakers trying to determine the center’s legal status, weighing it against the need, and against obvious results.  And that’s where it ends, more or less undecided—a divided community pleading for a legal resolution.

The post-film talk was lively.  Gutterman emphasized the human side of immigration, the ground-level issues, like family, jobs, and the crucial services provided by volunteer-, non-profit-, and faith-communities.  He also shared a bit of his intimate knowledge of the 2008 Postville Raid, when federal officials stormed a meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, arresting and imprisoning hundreds of migrant workers.

Many discussions about immigration revolve around economics. ‘Can we afford to keep our borders open?’ ‘Is a more open immigration policy sustainable?’ ‘Is it fair to taxpayers?’  And that’s totally understandable.  The issue is, after all, a global search for (or, depending on your camp, defense of) economic opportunities.  But the people in Brother Towns—the frustrated contractors and migrant workers alike—are not driven by greed but by need, by an obligation to contribute their skills to the world and thereby provide for their families, and to somehow weather the shock of massive social, cultural, and economic changes.

The takeaway point for me was this: if we discuss only the economic components of immigration (jobs, taxes, medical expenses, etc.), then we advance the notion that our relationship with newcomers and guest workers is purely exploitative, and if you’ve seen this film, or have ever known or worked with any recent immigrants, you know that can't be the case.  

It was great to encounter so many compassionate, informed people at Movie Night.  Brother Towns was well worth the drive out.  MLCers are a really neat bunch.

Thanks for a wonderful Monday evening.

Troubling News for Florida's Adult Learners

According to an article from the Orlando Sentinel, from this month forward, adults in Florida with literacy and educational needs can expect to pay anywhere from “$90 to $360 a year for adult-education courses,” as recently mandated by Florida’s state government. Nationally, Florida has one of the highest percentages of adults who struggle with limited literacy skills, rendering the state’s decision a bit incomprehensible. High fees will only discourage vulnerable populations—like refugees, new immigrants, and families living at or below the poverty level—from acquiring much-needed educational resources.  In my view, making it more difficult for potential workers and innovators to access public education forums is a step in the wrong direction.

The Minnesota Literacy Council, along with its network of volunteers and affiliates, is committed to keeping community education programs affordable (if not free) for learners.  In our 2009/2010 program year, MLC directed the efforts of more than 1,000 volunteer teachers and tutors, who donated a combined total of over 27,000 hours, a value of $565,217.  These volunteers worked with approximately 30,000 adult students, helping them to meet specific educational goals.

The prevailing tradition in Minnesota is to invest in the long-term success of all of its residents, which is a huge reason why our state remains a national leader in community literacy.  Although a handful of our over 500 adult literacy programs charge a $10 or $20 fee for materials, the fees are not mandated by the state, and learners are not denied access if they are unable to pay. 

As we hope for improvements in Florida, we should take a moment to appreciate the comparatively robust health of Minnesota’s community-education programs, as well as to acknowledge the crucial role of our many incredible volunteers. 


Joe Conry
MLC Volunteer Outreach