Jonathan Kozol

Amazing Grace

When reading “Amazing Grace” I realized that the article brought up some common point that Delipit, “The silenced Dialogue” and Kristof, “USA Land of Limitations”, mention. When reading “The Silence Dialogue”, Delpit mentioned how those teachers who are not white, are constantly being forced to conform to rules, and standards that are made by privileged whites, while they have little to no choice in the matter. When talking to Cliffie’s, Kozol asks if she feels insulted by having the waste incinerator in her neighborhood, she responds “It used to…The truth is, you get used to the offense.” This whole neighborhood’s voice, which consisted of poor Blacks and Hispanics, is being silenced in the same way teachers who were minorities were in Delpit’s article were. In the article we also read about Alice Washington, who grew up in the Bronx. Alice’s story sounded very similar to Rick’s in “USA Land of Limitations?”. Both were hard workers who were held back from becoming successful because of their social class or race. Although not directly mentioned, Kozol does talk about the limits being created. For example, we see hoe Alice’s friend didn’t qualify for SSI until she was dead. 

What really stood out to me while reading the article was Cliffie’s attitude towards his surroundings, especially how casual he talks about seeing a person get shot. He has grown up in an area full of drugs, violence, and prostitution to the point where he has almost become immune to his environment. Kozol mentions in the beginning that 35% of the population living in the area were children, that makes it around 16,800 who are forced to live under the same circumstances as Cliffie. That number would only increase to millions if it was nationwide. 

U.S.A., Land of Limitations?

Nicholas Kristof

     This author Kristof argues that the United States has become a socially rigid society that has created barriers and social gaps. Taking that awareness into consideration, we are no longer the “land of opportunity” that we once were. Presidential candidates use this term to boost patriotism, but in reality they should focus more on breaking down barriers and closing gaps that have been created, in order to create more opportunities for those who come from a low-income family or are considered a minority. By allowing these gaps and barriers to exist, we are limiting the opportunities of others, therefore we have become the land of limitations. While many are being limited, those who are from a higher-class are only offered more opportunities. Kristof mentions how it is our job as a society to stop these millionaires from getting away with scams that allow them not to have to pay taxes on large amounts of money. While people like Rick, who came from a lower-class family, and is hard working, spend their entire life right where they began. We have to earn the title of being “the land of opportunity” and while these factors still exist, we do not deserve this title.

                                   

     

     I enjoyed reading this article because it brought up a really good question, “Is the United States a land of opportunity or has it become a land of limitations?” For me it is sad to see how a country who has prided itself in being free and giving everyone a chance, no matter your race, religion, or if you are rich or poor, has now created a society where the rich only get richer and the poor stay poor. The chances of going from the bottom to the top are very slim.  When Kristof mentions Ricks story, it kind of gets your attention  because when don’t we see people who are hard working never move up in life? We see it all the time and that’s a sad reality.

Hi! My name is Scarlett Rivera and I am currently a student at Rhode Island College. I wish to earn my degree in Early Childhood Education and to become a preschool or kindergarten teacher someday.  

My goal in life and the reason I want to become a teacher is because I want to make a diffrence  in a child life.

This summer I spent most of my time working at Dave&Buster's, a place I have worked at for almost 3 years now. When I am not working or in school one of my favorite things to do is watch old movies and read.

    

Breakfast At Tiffany's and The Great Gatsby are one of my favorite classic movies. There's just some so fascinating about the way they would dress and speak that I just love watching and hearing.  

One of the more exciting things I got to do this summer is visit Hershey Park for the first time. I always find it exciting to visit new places, and have new experiences, which is why I love to travel. Hopefully one day I will get the chance to travel the world. Besides traveling, other hobbies that I enjoy include listening to music and watching shows from other countries. I'm fascinated with other cultures and how similar and different they are to our own.

If I could travel to anywhere in the world, I would go to Italy. I just love their food!!!!