Exam One

Dear Mr. President,
Upon your request I have compiled a short report on the book, Shame of the Nation as well as my recommendations for a truly equal school system. Jonathan Kozol’s Shame of the Nation does a wonderful job of exposing the dark side of education. His main theses are best grouped into two categories: the lacks of equality in education as well as the curriculum and tests schools are forced to partake in. While I agree with the majority of Kozol’s claims I disagree with some as well. Based off of Kozol’s novel, I personally have recommendations concerning America’s lax schooling of minority children.
Kozol’s first category of thesis is the belief that schools are not equal across the United States and that the equality, or lack thereof, is based off of race. In order to be “politically correct” most Americans would claim that school districts are segregated based on socioeconomic status. However we as Americans desperately need to take off our politically correct lenses and truly look at the issues. Socioeconomic status IS race in today’s society. Buildings in a white, suburban school district are newer, certainly up to code. Prompt attention would be given to any maintenance request and exterminators come regularly to keep the schools free of insects and rodents. Across town however, minority or students from a lower socioeconomic strata attend school in building where plastic trash bags hang to cover gaping holes in the ceiling. Rats race across the floors and very desks where students sit working and children breathe contaminated air from the building that was built during the roaring twenties. Another issue is raised when we look at the difference between teacher salaries in school districts catering to the suburban are significantly higher the salaries paid to teachers within inner-city schools or schools serving children of a different race. As a teacher, I must ask myself, if I am given the opportunity to teach in School A. a place where buildings are up to code, supplies are readily available and my paycheck is far greater than School B where am I more likely to sign a contract? The major issue here is the idea that bright; on-fire teachers are unable to stay at schools serving the marginalized because they are unable to make ends meet off of the meager salary. If the teachers that are teaching in schools such as School B, they are often alternatively certified, inexperienced and under-trained. These alternatively certified teachers, while perhaps quite willing to make a difference or not skilled enough to do truly impact the students they are teaching. These conditions described does not even have a whisper of equality in its midst.
The second category concerning Kozol’s theses claims the title curriculum and testing. In schools of marginalized and minority children curriculum is being instilled that not only teaches for a particular test but also trains students for low end jobs instead of a college career. This demeaning and ethically wrong practice would certainly not be tolerated in a middle class suburban elementary, middle or high school. Students are being trained in an almost Hitler Nazi youth fashion as described on page 66 of Kozol’s book, “His arm shot out and up in a diagnol in front of him, his hand straight up, his fingers flat…all the children in the classroom did it too.” Classroom jobs have been manipulated into “positions” with legitimate titles. Instead of Susie having the privilege of line leader this week, she must apply, interview and receive the position of “line manager” (page 90). Most funding for public schools today is based off of test results. Schools find themselves teaching specifically for the test, which does not prepare their students for life past the test in general. The Hitler-like curriculum does not to prepare students for real life and the testing puts so much pressure on teachers they are in fear of their students not succeeding.
Personally I support Kozol’s claim that education is not equal, the curriculum and present state of teachers are an embarrassment to America. I do not however believe that nothing can be done to change the face of public education in the United States today.
The federal and state governments must form a feasible plan to bring all schools onto the same playing field across the board.
First and foremost teachers themselves must change. Emergency certifications must end. Alternative certified teachers bring amazing things to education. They are able to show and give living proof that education is important in life. However, until these individuals complete time in the classroom under supervision they should not be given their own classroom. Secondly the government must change how it views teachers. Qualified and experienced teachers within marginalized schools need to have a higher salary. This money difference needs not to come from the school district but the government itself. Thirdly class size must be regulated and altered with a very knowing eye. No more than 20 students should be assigned to a single classroom. Smaller classes improve quality learning and allow teachers to spend time with each child, giving them a mentor that can help instill reliance, quality students from schools such as these needs desperately (page 27). The learning should take place in a functioning building not a building condemned and duct-taped together. Throughout a school district all schools should be uniform in order to avoid haves and have-nots in society.
I understand that individuals who believe separate but equal is a feasible and socially justifiable remedy truly are ignorant. However, in order for truly integrated schools the “heart” of individual American people must change. Until the majority of the white population can agree that segregation occurs in numerous forms and simply cannot be tolerate we must deal with what we are given. To see this day come we as a government and teachers must educate America on the current difference in education through various outlets.
Mr. President this is not an overnight change but rather a slow process. This process is not an inexpensive process either. However if your administration is serious about truly bringing American education to equality you must spend money, wisely and judiciously in a way that will benefit the future generations of America.

Race Matters: Chapter 5-8

5 Sentences

West's main focus in chapters five through eight is to address the issues of Black and Jewish tensions, African American sexuality in today's world, affirmative action and Malcolm X's impact and views on black society. Cornell West speaks of how affirmative action is necessary in order for America not to step backward in it's fight against racism yet how it is not propelling the black society forward in a concrete way. A history of Black and Jewish animosity as well as the reasons each side has issues is addressed. The issue of black sexuality and its place in today's society is discussed in one chapter while Malcolm X's views on how the African American culture should fight against a racist society are also included in the reading. Cornell brings to light numerous issues in the black culture of today.

4 Passages

"There is Jezebel (the seductive temptress), Sapphire (the evil, manipulative bitch), or Aunt Jemima (the sexless, long0suffering nurturer). There is Bigger Thomas (the mad and mean predatory craver of white woman), Jack Johnson (the super performer--be it in athletics, entertainment, or sex--who excels others naturally and prefers women of a lighter hue), or Uncle Tom (the spineless, sexless00or is it impotent?--sidekick of white)s)." page 120

"My thesis is that black sexuality is a taboo subject in white and black America and that a candid dialogue about black sexuality between and within these communities is requisite for healthy race relations in America." Page 120.

"The demythologizing of black sexuality is crucial for black America because much of black self-hatred and self-contempt has to do with the refusal of many black Americans to love their own bodies--especially their black noses, hips, lips and hair." page 122

"How does on come to accept and affirm a body so despised by one's fellow citizens? What are the ways in which one can rejoice in the intimate moments of black sexuality in a culture that questions the aesthetic beauty of one's body?" page 123

3 Terms

1. Affirmative action: A policy or a program that seeks to redress past discrimination through active measures to ensure equal opportunity, as in education and employment. Cornell West uses the term the same way as the dictionary definition. (page 96)
   
2. bourgeois:belonging to, characteristic of, or consisting of the middle class. Cornell West uses the term the same way as the dictionary definition. (page 98)
3. Xenophobia:an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange. Cornell West uses the term the same way as the dictionary definition. (page 109)

2 Connections

On page 121 Cornell West writes of entertainers helping to bridge the gap between white and black youth and encouraging the acceptance of black sexuality. Today I do not believe that is true. Rappers now, more often than not are selling albums with lyrics full of sex, the majority of times degrading women in the process to being toys rather than an active and valued member of the relationship. This is not helping black sexuality become accepted and valued but rather giving individuals fuel for the fire.

On page 122 Cornell West discusses the issue of black self-hatred regarding their bodies and sexuality. This is an issue not just in the African American culture but rather across America. The media and entertainment world of today has done an incredible job of hindering both men and women of all cultures from embracing the way the Lord created them.

1 Question

What is evidence of Jewish and black tension, I have never heard or seen any issues to my knowledge.

Race Matters Preface-Chapter 4

5 Sentences on the Big Picture

Race Matters seems to be an incredibly provocative book about how race, in particular the African-American people in America have various obstacles to overcome. The first five sections of the book focus on how the African American culture is perceived and the lack of black politicians and leaders today. Besides presenting these conflicts, history and difficulties that black people have and still do face, Race Matters also brings the attitude that African Americans hold toward themselves as well as the attitude America has concerning African Americans to the forefront of the discussion. The text is both unsettling and interesting. Cornel West continues to challenge all people's views and opinions.

4 Key Passages

"This turning is done through one's own affirmation of one's worth-an affirmation fueled by the concern of others. A love ethics must be at the center of a politics of conversion." (page 29)

"For example, well-to-do black parents no longer send their children to Howard, Morehouse, and Fisk "to serve the race" (though often for indirect self-serving ends), but rather to Harvard, Yale, and Princeton "to get a high-paying job" (for direct selfish reasons). (page 55)

"First, blackness has no meaning outside of a system of race-conscious people and practices...In short, blackness is a political and ethical construct." (page 39)

"Yet this leap in quantity has not been accompanied by a leap in quality. The present day black middle class is not simply different than its predecessors--it is more deficient and, to put it strongly, more decadent. For the most part, the dominate outlooks and life-styles of today's black middle class discourage the development of high quality political and intellectual leaders." (page 54)

3 Terms

Nihilistic: total and absolute destructiveness
Angst: a feeling of dread, anxiety or anguish
Afrocentrism: Centered or focused on Africa or African peoples, especially in relation to historical or cultural influence

2 Connections

West talks about the nihilistic threat as being a cause of the criminal activity involving African American people today. West does acknowledge that people are responsible for their own actions but also places part of the blame on the American culture. I disagree. Each person knows within them right and wrong. And we are each responsible for the decisions we make, and those consequences cannot be blamed on anything other than our own choices.

West also talks about the "conservative idea" that black men need to stay married and support their children. In my American Educational Thought class we talked of the achievement gap. A study done just last year (2008) found that the achievement gap is related to an intact family and religious commitment. In today's world 3/4 of African American babies are born out of wedlock. By not staying married to and supporting their children, these men are only allowing the vicious cycle to continue.

1 Question

Cornel West discusses the effect the European ideal of beauty on young black girls in today's world; my question is what can be changed in today's world to fix not only the image on black women but women of all ages and races.