"There are children in the poorest, most abandoned places who, despite the miseries and poisons that the world has pumped into their lives, seem, when you first meet them, to be cheerful anyway" (Kozol 6).
Childhood innocence surpasses the hurt inflicted by this world. Children tend to find beauty in things, but as they enter periods of adolescence and adulthood, they are susceptible to becoming involved in the issues exposed to them since childhood. As children grow older, they may become more inclined to the negative patterns that wrack adulthood. An impending future may result involving these worldly wrongs. Kozol also mentions how the children, although surrounded by drug addiction, pollution, disease, violence, and death, still remain strong in their faith and values. I feel that through this quote, Kozol is demonstrating that despite the harshness of the world and the individual sufferings that accompany it, children view the world with different eyes.
"These are almost the only things she says that have an edge of indignation; even here, it is more sadness than a real indignation. She seems resigned to things the way they are" (Kozol 17).
In Kozol's text, the sorrow that the people endure as a result of being forced to live this way is evident. Anguish occupies their daily lives, and it is shameful to know that those in power are refusing to take action to right the wrongs, but have rather contributed to the misery that these individuals are afflicted by. Early in the text, Kozol mentions how a waste incinerator was established in the neighborhood of St. Ann's Church, posing cancer risks to children. Citizens of the East Side of Manhattan had successfully protested having the incinerator placed in their area. The city then presented harm to the children of poverty, therefore not resolving the health issue. Kozol also discusses the appalling conditions of the nearby hospitals. The quote above displays the hurt and the anger that the poor in these situations must experience, but are forced to accept. It seems so careless for those in power to dismiss the needs of the people.
"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" (Kozol 24).
David Washington had discussed with Kozol how evil existed in the world, and how so many of the area's population had gone astray. They became lost due to the world's grasp. Some yearn for an escape, but those preoccupied in inflicting unnecessary harm attempt to make others succumb to worldly desires. Those who fail to realize or even search for life's purpose have conformed to the way of the world, which I believe David is describing. They dwell in drug addiction, prostitution, illegal affairs, etc. The people who hope are suffering, but those who choose to do wrong fail to see life outside of the world, merely seeking to do evil.
C) QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/POINTS TO SHARE
Regarding a point to share, there is a quote concerning the "lifestyles and behavior of the poor" on page 21 that Kozol references. I thought to myself how truly wrong it was for the professor quoted to cast judgment on the poor. How can people speak of those in poverty in this way when they themselves have not lived it? I agree with Kozol having said, "I have yet to figure out what she has done that was irrational" (Kozol 22). What I perceive as "irrational" is the judgment, not the individuals who strive but cannot escape from poverty.
Hi Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteThe last quote you share, the one about how everyone has a purpose but when these kids look around their streets they can't see one stood out for me too. It breaks my heart because without hope for the future what does one have to strive for? I'm still thinking about ways we can show kids who come from places like that, that there is beauty in the world and that they can grab a piece of it for themselves. Hopefully the class will have some ideas to share in how to do this! -Jocelyn B.