Against Infrastructure: Curating Community Literacy in a Jail Writing Program

Positionality and Possibility: Reframing Tactics and Strategies for Graduate Student Community Engagement

“…Parks wrote, For this reason, I argue that the 'hope' of such community-based work can be realized only by the creation of strategic university spaces that bring with them a collective ethical and institutional commitment to the numerous literacy populations that make up a neighborhood, city, or state. (p. 517) While Parks advocates for a more strategic model, other scholars have suggested various hybrid approaches (Clifton, 2013;Feigenbaum, 2011;Holmes, 2016;Jacobi, 2016;Peeples, Rosinski, & Strickland, 2007;Rousculp, 2014). Holmes, for example, calls for strategic structures within institutions that also allow room for what she terms "morphing" -adaptations that allow greater responsiveness to shifting contexts.…”

“…In her controversial book, Mathieu argues that a tactical stance allows greater responsiveness to communities, as the focus shifts from long-term sustainability and institutional priorities to the always-moving interests of communities. Rich debate exists over whether community engagement practitioners should pursue strategic partnerships, tactical partnerships, or a hybrid model, with several scholars arguing vigorously for one model rather than the other Parks, 2009), or challenging the dichotomy altogether (Feigenbaum, 2011;Holmes, 2016;Jacobi, 2016;Peeples, Rosinski, & Strickland, 2007). Yet, discussions of tactics and strategies have yet to explicitly take into account the unique positionalities of graduate students who initiate and direct community partnerships.…”