Kozol shares bits and pieces of the children's' lives, which include stark realities such as a large percentage of absentee fathers, many who are in prison, an extremely high rate of asthma due largely to poor environmental conditions, a high incidence of AIDS in relatives, gangs, shootings, hunger, lack of health care, and eviction. The term "apartheid education" is used in describing how skin color and class origin still determine curricular provision for these children, limiting their educational resources and their future. Stories shared indicate that expectations are set lower than other areas of the city and children's dreams for the future are effectively stifled. They are encouraged to plan careers as hairdressers, nurse's aides, or technicians, rather than professionals requiring a college degree. Kozol urges us not to impose "global preconceptions on a multitude of diverse personalities and motivations in a given group of' children".
The stark reality is that the money spent on children's' education per capita is much less in South Bronx than other areas of the city, and even miniscule compared to the amount spent to incarcerate men in the nearest prison. When Kozol is challenged with the question of whether money really is the only answer to the problems faced by schools serving poorest children in our cities now, he responds, "I think it is fair to answer, No. It is not the only answer, but it is often a precondition for most other answers."
Despite the disheartening facts of life and lack of resources, there is a bright side to Kozol's reflections. He describes with wonder at times of "the deep, inextinguishable goodness at the core of creation" evidenced over and over again in the children of Mott Haven. While many term these children resilient, Kozol argues that word does an justice the true qualities that help them prevail, such as ingenuity, courage, love, and especially spiritual faith. "Ordinary resurrection" is a term used by an Episcopal priest named Robert Morris who speaks about the commonplace and frequently unnoticed ways that people rise above their loneliness and fear. He states, "We all lie down. We all rise up. We do this every day. The Resurrection does not wait for Easter." This is the life of the children at Mott Haven. How they rise up every day is the heartwarming encouraging part of Kozol's book. Why they have to do it is the heart-disturbing part that makes the reader want to agree that something needs to be done to invest in these children's' futures, that they deserve a chance at something better. As Kozol asks, "why not give these kids the best we have because we are a wealthy nation and they're children and deserve to have some fun while they're still less than four feet high?"
My family became one of the sad statistics you referred to in your book...drugs, violence and jail time..are/were a very much big part of my families life. By the grace of God I have escaped the Bronx to raise my own child in Calf. but I have a longing in my heart to go back to the Bronx to make a difference.
It is my plan after college to open a home for the children of the South Bronx and to work with places such as St.Anns to offer hope for these beautiful children.
To those in our society that have written us off as hopeless and useless..may God have mercy on you..to the city of NY..may God forgive you for the violations you have inflicted upon the poor of the city...
If this book does not urge you to change your views, contribute and help those that are less fortunate then there is surely something wrong with your heart.
Johnathn I applaud you for your efforts, your love and concern..may God bless you and to the children of the Bronx.. I will be home soon and we will make a way.
I never went to St. Ann's but I know plan too..after completing my degree I plan on opening a home for children in the south bronx to give them the chance, the opportunity that so many of us never had...
To the "elite" of New York and the policy makers...may God forgive you for what you do to the children of the South Bronx..my deepest and most sincere respect go to Jonathan for such a well written book and his obvious care for these children.
