Amazing Grace by Jonathan Kozol
"There are children in the poorest, most abandoned place who, despite the miseries and poisons that the world has pumped into their lives, seem, when you first meet them, to be cheerful anyway."
This quote struck me because kids are so cheerful throughout all circumstances. These children were put in this situation without choice and they don't get down about it but look for the good in it. Obviously, the children are probably hurting more than they let on but they keep a smile on their face. I find it inspiring to know that these children keep a smile on their face when it would be easier to get down about it and be sad.
"'If poor people behaved rationally,' says Lawrence Mead, a professor of political science at New York University, 'they would seldom be poor for long in the first place.' Many social scientists today appear to hold this point of view and argue that the largest portion of the suffering poor people undergo has to be blamed upon their own 'behaviors,' a word they tend to pluralize."
This statement is a very unfair thing to say. It's not all poor people's fault that they are poor. Many are born into the situation. Children are easily molded and if the only thing they know is being poor than that's the way they are most likely to live. Children need someone to inspire them to do better and help them get out of that situation. It's not fair to blame someone being poor on their "behaviors." Not everyone is taught how to get out of the poor class.
"'I believe that we were put here for a purpose, but these people in the streets can't see a purpose. There's a whole world out there if you know it's there if you can see it. But they're in a cage. They cannot see.'"
I just really liked this quote because I think that's what children in these conditions need to hear. They need to be told that there is a world outside of their current circumstances and that they can be better. It's sad that people think this way and believe they're stuck with being poor. Anyone can overcome it if they are helped and taught to overcome it. It's important to give children the inspiration to be better and get out of being poor. They need to know that it's possible for them.
This quote struck me because kids are so cheerful throughout all circumstances. These children were put in this situation without choice and they don't get down about it but look for the good in it. Obviously, the children are probably hurting more than they let on but they keep a smile on their face. I find it inspiring to know that these children keep a smile on their face when it would be easier to get down about it and be sad.
"'If poor people behaved rationally,' says Lawrence Mead, a professor of political science at New York University, 'they would seldom be poor for long in the first place.' Many social scientists today appear to hold this point of view and argue that the largest portion of the suffering poor people undergo has to be blamed upon their own 'behaviors,' a word they tend to pluralize."
This statement is a very unfair thing to say. It's not all poor people's fault that they are poor. Many are born into the situation. Children are easily molded and if the only thing they know is being poor than that's the way they are most likely to live. Children need someone to inspire them to do better and help them get out of that situation. It's not fair to blame someone being poor on their "behaviors." Not everyone is taught how to get out of the poor class.
"'I believe that we were put here for a purpose, but these people in the streets can't see a purpose. There's a whole world out there if you know it's there if you can see it. But they're in a cage. They cannot see.'"
I just really liked this quote because I think that's what children in these conditions need to hear. They need to be told that there is a world outside of their current circumstances and that they can be better. It's sad that people think this way and believe they're stuck with being poor. Anyone can overcome it if they are helped and taught to overcome it. It's important to give children the inspiration to be better and get out of being poor. They need to know that it's possible for them.
Your first quote and quote analysis made me think because it is so true! Children seem to be happy so much of the time and most of the time do not realize if they are less fortunate than others. As future educators, we really need to be able to realize that children come from all different backgrounds and all have different ways of life.
ReplyDeleteI was also surprised about how cheerful the seven year old Cliffie was in this article. He didn't even seem to be much affected by the circumstances. I guess because this has been his life and he probably doesn't have much to compare it to.
ReplyDeleteI loved your first quote and it’s analysis! I agree because I think children are really good at blocking out the bad and hard parts of their life and can still give a happy vibe. But I also agree that the kids probably are hurting more than they lead on.
ReplyDeleteThat second quote breaks my heart. It just shows ignorance on Mead's part. Like you said, so many people, no matter how hard they work aren't able to pull themselves out of poverty. Those who do are part of a small percentage.
ReplyDeleteThis statement caught my eye:
ReplyDelete"Children are easily molded and if the only thing they know is being poor than that's the way they are most likely to live. Children need someone to inspire them to do better and help them get out of that situation. It's not fair to blame someone being poor on their "behaviors." Not everyone is taught how to get out of the poor class."
Does this locate the problem in an INDIVIDUAL or an INSTITUTION? How will inspiring children to do better get rid of the rats in their houses and the incinerator spewing cancer causing smog out of their community? Let's keep talking about this.
I agree with you that the quote "If poor people behaved rationally". Most can not help being poor, they are born into it or just simply don't make enough money to get by because pay in this country is unfair.
ReplyDeleteHi Jackie! I love this blog as you let all the quotes speak for your piece. I liked how you picked the last one about purpose. Everyone should have a purpose, but if everyone can not see that purpose that makes life extremely unfair.
ReplyDelete