Talking points #1

Kozol/Goldberg
Amazing Grace/110 People who are Screwing up America

I really did not like Jonathan Kozol's article. I could not find an argument but found myself just reading a constant flow of sob stories from people living the the places he visited. I understand that thing are bad, possibly the worst in the parts of the country he went, but all these stories do it get an emotion out of you so u feel like to have to agree with whatever Kozol wants you to think. Bernard Goldberg sees this. He argues that Kozol's views are wrong and that Kozol should not be as loved in the educational community as much as he is.

1. "many of todays schools are tuning out "smart" kids with little understanding of how precious their heritage is"(Goldberg). the sad part about this quote is that it is VERY true. I hear it all around me that young adults would never go fight for their country if they had too. So easily they would not go fight but they would never give up their liberties that fighting got them in the first place.

2. "reaching up to take my hand the moment that we leave the church"(Kozol). This man is really pulling at your heartstrings. what does he want us to think "awww isn't that cute" i mean come on excuse me while i throw up. Cliffie is not holding his hand because hes a good kid. He does it because he know, even durning the daylight hours, how dangerous it is go walk on the streets here. Its not cute its a way to stay safe.

3. "if poor people behaved rationally they would seldom be poor for long in the first place"-Lawrence Mead(Goldberg). after reading this quote it really go me mad. it also made me think of something Delpit. it was something like how human are rationally beings so everything we do is rational. its just a matter of what there rationales are.

I am glad that the Goldberg article was paired with Kozol's. It was refreshing to read someone else who did not agree with Kozol at all.
The one question I have is who is the #1 person on Goldberg's list?