Talking Points #2- Rodriguez

Richard Rodriguez. "Aria"; from Tongue Tied.

Rodriguez argues that it is imperative for minority children and adults to learn the most common public language in America, English. Rodriguez states that while you should retain your original language and heritage, you must learn to speak English in order to gain access to the "Culture Of Power".

• "In an instant, they agreed to give up the language (the sounds) that had revealed and accentuated our family's closeness." This quote is important because it shows what Rodriguez does not want to happen when a family is learning English. Rodriguez wants the readers to learn from his family's mistakes. Your family should be able to learn English, while retaining their original language and their closeness to each other.
• "The belief, the calming assurance that I belonged in public, had at last taken hold." This quote is important because it shows Rodriguez's realization that he was comfortably a member of the public culture. It is then that Rodriguez realizes that he has become "Americanized", by learning to speak English.
• "They do not seem to realize that there are two ways a person is individualized. So they do not realize that while one suffers a diminished sense of private individuality by becoming assimilated into public society, such assimilation makes possible the achievement of public individuality." This quote is important because it shows the importance that Rodriguez places on learning English. Learning English will allow people who spoke another language to have a voice in the American "Culture Of Power".

I found Rodriguez's article to be an easy read. A reader can tell that Rodriguez is grateful that he learned English because communicating in the most common public language in America is an important skill to have. However, it is easy to see that Rodriguez longs for the closeness he had with his family when they all spoke Spanish. I believe it is important for people to learn the most common languages of their country. However, I believe it is also extremely important to maintain your culture and heritage. Do you believe that assimilation into American society means giving up the values of your culture and heritage?

Talking Points #1- Goldberg

Bernard Goldberg. 110 People Who Are Screwing Up America (and Al Franken is #37): Jonathan Kozol.

Goldberg argues that Jonathan Kozol is hurting America because he was the architect of the liberal American education system. Goldberg argues that American children have become indifferent to their heritage and have bought into the liberal views being taught to them.

• "Kozol is a fierce opponent of traditional learning, which he says deadens children's souls." This quote is important because it shows that Goldberg is an advocate of traditional learning. This quote shows that Goldberg and Kozol stand on opposite sides of the fence on issues.
• "Indeed, the once-outrageous idea that teachers should use their classrooms to espouse liberal/radical political views-i.e., to propagandize- can be traced directly to Jonathan Kozol." This quote is important because it supports Goldberg's belief that Kozol is hurting America. Many people believe the educational system should be politically neutral.
• "What will become of a country whose youngest citizens have been taught to have so little affection for it?" This quote leaves the readers with an important question to think about. What will happen to America if it's young people do not care about it?

Goldberg's article was an easier read then Kozol's was. Clearly, Goldberg believes that Kozol is ruining America's educational system. I disagree with Goldberg on some issues. Goldberg made it sound like all liberals do not love America. I am liberal and I love America very much. Not all teachers trash America. Some do teach the values of patriotism to their students. However, teachers should not use their classrooms as propaganda machines. Are all young people really indifferent towards America?

Talking Points # 1- Kozol

Jonathan Kozol. Amazing Grace: The Lives Of Children And The Conscience Of A Nation.

Kozol argues that there is a great difference in the lives of the people of Manhattan and the people of the South Bronx. He argues that New York City officials have turned their backs on their own citizens by not helping them get adequate shelter, medical care, and overall opportunities to improve their lives.

• "I saw a boy shot in the head right over there, he says a moment later, in a voice that does not sound particularly sad." This quote is important because it shows that Cliffie has become numb to violence. When people lose compassion for their fellow man at a young age, they become more likely to experience incidents of violence as they get older.
• "Why do you want to put so many people with small children in a place with so much sickness?" This quote is important because it shows that New York City has become indifferent to the plight of its citizens.
• "It's not just hatred. It's as if they're laughing at their lives-and yours." This quote is important because it shows that the citizens of the South Bronx realize that no matter how hard they try to improve their lives, they will not be able to get anywhere. Law-abiding citizens and drug dealers are both going nowhere.

This article showed me how poor and destitute some areas of the country are. Poverty is a huge problem in America! This article relates to others because it shows that poverty and racism go hand-in-hand. Most of the destitute neighborhoods in America include citizens of color. Why have citizens of New York City become blind to the poverty happening around them? Do they think that if they do not acknowledge it is happening, it will go away?

What's on my mind!

Hello everyone!

I was reading the excerpts from Kozol and Goldberg today. They are two distinctly different viewpoints on similar topics. It is rare for one author to openly say that another's viewpoints are hurting America. I disagree with Goldberg on some points. Goldberg's article made it sound like all liberals do not care about America. I do not consider myself conservative at all, but that does not mean I do not love my country. Just because I might be somewhat liberal does not mean I do not respect my country's heritage. I also find Al Franken amusing because I enjoy political satyr.

Random Thoughts:

Did anyone see the clips from the Republican National Convention? I cannot believe that Rudy Guilianni called Barack Obama too cosmopolitan. This is coming from the man who was the former mayor of New York City! I found most of the Republicans came off as very smug! I was offended that they made fun of Obama's work as a community organizer. Apparently they believe no one should try and help their community. Their own candidate, John McCain, is running on the slogan: service.

Why do we drive in parkways, but park in driveways?

Is one truly the loneliest number? Maybe it is zero, because it feels empty.


Remember to laugh,
James

My Blog Introduction

Hello everyone!

My name is James Kelly. I am a sophomore at Rhode Island College. I graduated from Cranston High School West back in 2007. I graduated from the Child Development program at the vocational school, so I do have some experience working with young children. My semester has gone fine so far. I have never actually created my own blog before, so this will be a new experience. When I am not in class, I enjoy hanging out with my friends. I am a huge New England sports fan! I am excited about the Red Sox pennant race, yet sad that Tom Brady has been injured for the season. This is my first election, so I am excited to finally be able to participate in the political process.

I hope to talk to all of you again very soon!

James