Blog #6 Finn

 In “Literacy with an Attitude” by Patrick Finn, shares his experiences about segregation and the difference of education between the rich and the poor. Finn discusses different levels of class like the executive elite, the affluent professional, the middle class, along with the working class. The society that we know is formed by the combined influence of all these classes. But education played a big role in these people’s journey to where they are now. Finn starts off with the working class, he discusses that within the working class schools there is a dominant theme of resistance. Students that attend these schools are not challenged, they are given easy work that doesn’t allow them to be creative. When assigned more challenging assignments, the working class school teacher encounters opposition since they do not have high expectations for their students. As a result the students are not well- rounded as they would be in a different school as a result. The next school is the middle class. The majority of the students at this school come from a middle class background. Although knowledge is not directly related to the students, it is more conceptual in the context. They are allowed to work on creative projects, but they are typically more of a means of self- expression than a means of earning a grade. Finn saw that the dominant theme here was potential. Next are the affluent professionals, here teachers give student work that is creative and independent. Students are instructed that experience and discovery are equally significant. Additionally, there is less classroom structure, more time for assignments, and greater mobility for students. Finn highlighted several themes that emerged from these educational institutions. Individualism is the prevailing theme, with humanitarianism representing the minority. The last school Finn talks about is the Executive Elite school. At this school students learn how to be the very best of the best. Their objective is straightforward. According to Finn, these students are taught to strive for success and to be well prepared. After discussing the different types of schools, Finn briefly addresses the “Progressive Teaching Principles.” Staff members fulfill them when they attend to the requirements of the “ whole child.” This is achieved when they make an extra effort to engage with their kids and when they respect their efforts to be creative.

Amazing Grace: Jonathan Kozol

 Jonathan Kozol is the author of Amazing Grace. In the text, Kozol writes about people living in the south side of the Bronx. He begins by describing the area, he mentions that Mott Haven is home to some of the poorest people in New York City. The living conditions in this area are beyond poor. Families are struggling to afford the basic necessities to live. Kozol also describes that these people are living in very close proximity to each other, to make these living conditions even worse they have to deal with cockroaches and rats in their house. 

Kozol learns about the tragedies and struggles that the area faces through speaking with and listening to the locals. This community suffers from drug abuse, prostitution, violence, and disease. People who are gravely ill frequently aren't even able to seek the assistance they require. The hospitals in this region lack the medical supplies necessary to save lives, are grossly understaffed, and are filthy and overrun with illness. The prevalence of AIDS, tuberculosis, and other deadly illnesses is all too high. When crime and violence proliferate and overwhelm the streets, anxiety and depression take control. 

The people within this community need help and resources to better their lives. It's unfortunate that those with power are not doing anything to help those with less. Though I couldn't begin to comprehend the struggles this community faces, I can appreciate how fortunate they are. I'm aware of how many things in my life I have to be grateful for. Acknowledging my privilege and how it affects my day-to-day activities is essential to starting to comprehend the world and people surrounding me. I hope that everyone will have equal and shared power at some point. Then and only then can our society be just.