Undoing the Silence offers guidance to help both citizens and
professionals influence democratic process through letters, articles,
reports and public testimony.
Louise Dunlap, PhD, began her career as an activist writing instructor
during the Free Speech Movement of the 1960s. She learned that listening
and gaining a feel for audience are just as important to social
transformation as the outspoken words of student leaders atop police
cars. "Free speech is a first step, but real communication matches
speech with listening and understanding. That is when thinking shifts
and change happens."
Dunlap felt compelled to go where the silences were deepest because her
work aimed not just at teaching but also at healing both individual
voices and an ailing collective voice. Her tales of those adventures and
what she knows about the culture of silence -- how gender, race,
education, class, and family work to quiet dissent -- are interwoven
with practical methods for people to put their most challenging ideas
into words.
Louise Dunlap gives writing workshops around the country for
universities and social justice, environmental, and peace organizations
that help reluctant writers get past their internal censors to find
their powerful voice. Her insight strengthens strategic thinking and her
"You can do it!" approach makes social-action writing achievable for
everyone.
