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Writer-to-Writer Challenge, Part II
What is the Writer-to-Writer Challenge? Adult literacy learners of the California Library Literacy Services are invited to read a book, any book. It can be fiction or non-fiction, written at any level, and can be a book-on-tape. They then write a letter to the author describing how the book changed their lives.
This year 188 adult learners entered the Challenge from 43 library literacy programs all over California. Their letters, based on their writing skill levels, were divided into four categories: Emerging, Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. There are two rounds of judging: In the first round a panel of librarians and literacy specialists carefully selected the finalists in each category. In the second round, groups of learners reviewed the finalists' letters and picked the winner and runners-up in each category.
The letters of the winners will appear as a Four-part Series, continuing part two with this E-newsletter with a letter from Intermediate winner Larry Evans:
Larry Evans
Palmdale City Library
Dear Mr. Poitier:
My name is Larry Evans and it was at the age of fifty-one that I learned how to read. Your book was the first book I ever read from cover to cover. Thank you for the inspiration I received from reading The Measure of a Man. My comments will start with you growing up in the Bahamas. Being blessed with weather so warm and beautiful all year round to enjoy - what a life! That lifestyle would only be a dream for me. The closest thing I had to living on an island was an old television show called Gilligan's Island.
My hometown was somewhat like yours; we also carried water to drink and had to use an outhouse. It is easy for a country boy like me to relate to your life style as a boy. As I read your book about how you faced racism at a very young age, it made me think that racism is maybe part of the reason why it took me fifty-one years to read the English Language.
When you lived on Cat Island, there were only two Caucasians there and you were never introduced to the color of your skin; being told that you were not equal to whites after you moved to Nassau had to make you look at the world in a different way. As I read further you showed more pride and dignity in your book. Miami, Florida, is where you faced the common reality of America's racism; for example when the police forced you to walk down the street with a gun pointed at your back and said if you looked around, you would be shot. I could feel your frustration and hurt as you walked without looking around.
Leaving Florida was a good idea. But facing the mean streets of New York City, not to mention old man winter, was a harsh reality. When you joined the United States Army, it seemed like the right thing to do in order to escape New York's cold, cold winters. A lot of people would understand why a black man in the United States Army could not put up with racism in the 1950s and 60's. Returning to New York you started over.
The book especially held my attention when I read about how you learned how to read. You did this by reading the newspaper and with the help of a friend while you worked as a dishwasher in a restaurant. I continue to read with inspiration after you made your mind-up to become an actor and you became an excellent one. After I read your book, I sat back and thought of how much courage, strength and dignity you displayed throughout your life in all you did. My favorite part was reading how you refused to turn your back on your friends. Your book is my inspiration. Today I can read!
Sincerely,
Larry Evans
Submitted to California Libraries by:
Alan Archer
President, CLA Literacy Interest Group
Posted on November 25, 2009 9:20 AM | Permalink