“Amazing Grace” by Jonathan Kozol Ruby Lazo
1. “Cliffie is referring to turns out to be a waste incinerator that was put in operation recently over the objections of the parents in the neighborhood. It was initially going to be built along the East Side of Manhattan, but the sitting of a burner there had been successfully resisted by the parents of the area because fears of cancer risks to (their) children.”
After the East Side resisted the plan of an incinerator to be built in their neighborhood, the state decided to build it in a significantly poorer section in New York. Although parents of the small community had just as much valid concern and objections to the incinerator being built they were brushed to the side, ignored made to feel invisible and less than – which is how they have been treated their entire lives.
After the East Side resisted the plan of an incinerator to be built in their neighborhood, the state decided to build it in a significantly poorer section in New York. Although parents of the small community had just as much valid concern and objections to the incinerator being built they were brushed to the side, ignored made to feel invisible and less than – which is how they have been treated their entire lives.
2. ”The truth is, you get used to the offense".
Cliffie’s mother explains to Mr. Kozol that so much of her life, she and the people of her neighborhood have been ignored, stepped on and offended; that she and many others lost hope.
Cliffie’s mother explains to Mr. Kozol that so much of her life, she and the people of her neighborhood have been ignored, stepped on and offended; that she and many others lost hope.
3. “Somebody has power. Pretending that they don’t so they don’t need to use it to help people – that is my idea of evil".
Ms. Washington’s son is having a conversation with Mr. Kozol and shares his idea of what evil is. Many people in his neighborhood, like himself, have spent their lives trying to overcome many adversities while experiencing many struggles and challenges, while the people who hold the power, who can help make a difference decided to turn their heads the other way.
Out of all the articles we have read so far, this has been one of my favorites. Cliffie, a little boy who gave Mr. Kozol a tour of his neighborhood really stood out to me. Mr. Kozol described him like any other seven year old. He was sassy, playful and pure. However, Mr. Kozol mentions one thing that hit me. He said, “As confident and grown-up as he sounds, he has the round face of a baby and is scarcely more than three and a half feet”. Which made me think that Cliffie, although seems like an average seven year old boy, he isn’t. He has had to see things and experience things that other boys his age will probably never have to. In a sense, because of his surroundings, Cliffie has had to grow-up way before his time. I wonder what effects that will have on him as an adult. Will it hinder him as a person or make him stronger?
What things can we do to help out Cliffie and kids who are facing similar adversities.
I totally agree with you about Cliffie. Even though he acts childlike, he's obviously seen a lot more than other children his age; especially when he mentions seeing a man shot in the head. He offers this knowledge so nonchalantly, and I wonder if he even really understands. Will he grow up thinking violence and drugs are the norm? And will he be able to function in a society outside of the South Bronx and prosper? Will he ever realize that this isn't "normal"??
ReplyDeleteIt saddens me to think that this child has endured so much. He thinks life around him is normal. Unfortunately for the people of that neighborhood it is normal. And the sad fact is he will probably live and die in that same neighborhood. Soceity fuctions to make most think that they can "move up" but it is only a few who can. "We" push others down to get ahead and hide what we don't want to see(like these people in this neighborhood.) Its sad but with out a system overhaul it will be a slow change.
ReplyDeleteFor your second quote, when I read that on the paper, I felt really sad. Lot of people go about their day without caring what they do to others. And after a while the people that get offened, just give it the blind eye, because they are so use to the put downs. There has been times that I have been put down, because I have a strong accsent. After a while, I just got use to it.
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