Dear friends - I've been wondering all week what to do about NC Community College System's decision not to admit undocumented students to degree programs (besides getting mad & discouraged).

Even though the literacy work we do is meant to empower people who are systematically dis-empowered, I'm constantly surprised at how tangled education and politics become for us. I've been reluctant to post politically-themed blog entries, knowing that DLC supporters may have a range of beliefs, but it becomes increasingly hard to separate our work from the climate that surrounds it.

I'm glad that NC has some wonderful advocacy organizations, like Adelante, who are
organizing responses to the community colleges' decision. Following their suggestions, I plan to write some letters in support of open access to public education in NC.

Here's to thoughtful & creative approaches to education -

Emily, ESOL Program Coordinator

p.s. All students remain eligible for ESL classes at community colleges, regardless of immigration status, so this shouldn't affect the number of ESOL students coming to us.