(Name-mce) ListServ Education and Human Rights NYC Book Party

[mmmsrnb at igc.org]

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Dear friends and colleagues,

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to 
the first major book release party of my latest 
work, Time is Tight: Urgent Tasks for Education 
Transformation-Eritrea, South Africa, and the 
USA. The culmination of a six year project, the 
book looks at the many things USA teachers can 
and must learn from our revolutionary 
counter-parts in Africa. It is an examination of 
my ten years as multicultural coordinator for the 
NYC Alternative High Schools and Program, and 
suggests that teachers today must focus on 
critical issues of US human rights abusesù-most 
especially regarding political prisoners and the 
continued colonization of Puerto Rico. I hope 
that you can join us for an evening of discussion 
and celebration!

I look forward to seeing you there!

Matt Meyer


WHEN: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2007, 7 PM

WHERE: The Brecht Forum, 451 WEST STREET, between Bank and Bethune


The event will include a panel of distinguished 
educators, administrators, parents, and students. 
I am honored that I will be joined by:

Sam Anderson, an internationally recognized 
educator, mathematician, and scientist, currently 
active with the Independent Commission on Public 
Education in NYC. Author of The Black Holocaust 
For Beginners and completing work on The 
Reparations Now! Reader, Anderson will put the 
regime of Chancellor Joe Klein in historic 
perspective, and discuss current efforts at 
systemic change.

Bernard Gassaway, author of the recently 
published Reflections of an Urban High School 
Principal, is a leading parent and child 
advocate, and former Senior Superintendent of New 
York City's Alternative High Schools and 
Programs. Bernard will discuss his own 
experiences as a home schooling father, and his 
thoughts about how to effectively navigate 
through the Department of Education's system he 
has said needs "Revolution, Not Reform."

Tyrene Wright is a curriculum development 
specialist in early childhood education who has 
spoken extensively on Pedagogical Racism and the 
varied practices of teaching racism. She'll talk 
about the work she is completing, in conjunction 
with Molefi Asante, on the development of the 
Asante Curriculum-a new requirement in the 
Philadelphia school system.

Krista Ambats, a recent high school graduate, was 
winner of the First Annual Dave Dellinger 
National Peace Essay competition. Krista will 
talk about her observations on what's keeping 
students from reaching their potentials.

(Please note: The Brecht Forum charges a nominal, 
sliding scale suggested donation of $6/$10/$15, 
but they've got a strict policy of turning NO ONE 
away. Come to purchase books and engage in the 
conversation, and donate what you can, if 
anything, for The Brecht.)

***
ADVANCED PRAISE FOR TIME IS TIGHT
(available at: www.africaworldpressbooks.com>

"Time Is Tight" is an important piece of literature for educators all over the world. If education is to produce a new generation of empowered people, then we need to support literature such as presented in this inspiring book. 

-Ela Gandhi, South African Member of Parliament (ANC), from the Foreword 

In reviewing what U.S. educators may learn from some of their African counterparts - especially in the areas of cultural cooperation and peace - Matt Meyer's "Time Is Tight" seeks to rebuild a sense of solidarity and good will between peoples that many believe has been squandered these past years. The book's assertion that teachers in the U.S. must address human rights issues right here at home is both refreshing and urgent. 

-Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (D-GA.), Congressional Black Caucus 

I've known Matt Meyer for a long time - working to make education in New York City meaningful and powerful for all students. The stories he tells in "Time Is Tight" should be read and listened to by all people who work for freedom and justice: not just for the few, but for everybody. 

- Talib Kweli, Hip Hop artist with Black Smith Music, The Beautiful Struggle 

Through "Time Is Tight," Matt Meyer compels the reader to view education and reciprocal learning from a Sankofa perspective: we will only know where we are going if we have clear knowledge of from whence we have come. The lessons we learned in examination of Pan-Africanist models of education pose serious challenges to those of us for whom education, and most especially alternative education, is our heart's calling. A very readable, thought-provoking, and serious work.

- Margaret Bing-Wade, Coordinator, National Alliance of Black School Educators (Northeast Region)