Review of Louise Dunlap's "Undoing the Silence"

by Bill Shortell

Louise Dunlap's new book, "Undoing the Silence, Six Tools for Social Change Writing," (New Village Press) has arrived at a perfect time. First, because it celebrates her full life of teaching and struggle, and second because the movement that it serves is finally getting off its knees.

The system, with war and injustice at its core, has managed to stave off a major downturn thru ever- loosening credit. This strategy has finally broken under its own weight. We are now in need of a whole new cadre of thinkers who can describe the problem and point toward solutions. We need "writers for social change." Dunlap's book will help turn them out.

The Author

In this period of her life Louise herself is as important as her book. Her political activity goes back as far as the modern US left: the Berkeley Free Speech Movement. She spent many years teaching social change writing at a Boston university a close co-worker with famed community leader Mel King, and is now a member of the Cambridge (MA) Peace Commission.

The word is getting out: she is a latter day Mother Jones, a powerful catalyst for change. Teaching yoga as well as social change writing, her strong, quiet approach releases energy everywhere she goes. These days, she is really going! She just got back from South Africa and New Orleans, and is on her way to Ethiopia.

Check out her website www.undoingsilence.org to catch her act.

The Book

This very personal, happy book is for anyone in the struggle who wants to write or improve their writing. I like the success stories the best. She manages to mingle the kind of simple "how-to" lessons found in "Complete Idiot..." books with inspirational tales from the movement.

The book is for both serious and casual writers, but especially for those who have been silenced by oppressive criticism. Schoolteachers in poor communities will find it especially useful. I have known some powerful thinkers who have told me, "I can't write." Tony Mazzocchi, the great labor leader was one. I bet some time with Louise could unlock their voices of genius.

The technique in the book that I like the best she calls "freewriting," spilling out your ideas in a jumbled fashion. Organizing them later is not so hard.

If you want to start to write, improve your writing, or help others write, get her book. Or, even better, go to one of her powerful workshops and experience 'undoing the silence' at its source...