Thoughts on Jonathan Kozol's "Amazing Grace"

The South Bronx or so says the image search engine.

This piece is a narrative piece that sheds light upon the life and thoughts of those who live in South Bronx in New York with a focus on the children who live there.  One quote in particular tells us what this author sets out to find out with his interactions and what he intends to show us with his article:

 "What is it like for children to grow up here? What do they think the world has done to them?  Do they believe that they are being shunned or hidden by society?  If so, do they think that they deserve this?  What is it that enables some of them to pray?  When they pray, what do they say to God?" 

 Looking back at this quote brings me back to when the author was walking around South Bronx with young seven year old resident Cliffie.  From what can be gathered by Jonathans interactions with the boy it seems he has been desensitized by the morbid aspects of the neighborhood and his circumstances.  This is evident by his casual telling of a boy who was shot in front of him. I am also reminded of how the author described Cliffie as believing in God in a very literal sense and despite his circumstances and the hardship of his society he still gives away his food to a homeless man.  It is interesting that only his mother pointed out what this society is doing to her child and other children but Cliffie himself still seemed rather unphased and non blaming for his circumstances.  I guess this is what innocence is.

Another powerful quote that is exhibitory to what the author was trying to accomplish with his interactions is his quote about Lawrence Mead:

" 'If poor people behaved rationally,' "says Lawrence Mead, a professor of political science at New York University," 'they would seldom be poor for long in the first place.' 

Paired with this quote by the author:

"Since the time that I met Mrs. Washington, I have spent hundreds of hours talking with her in her kitchen. I have yet to figure out what she has done that was irrational". 

 After reading Jonathans account of the neighborhood and how certain unfavorable aspects come to pass, such as the bodily waste burning facility that came to be moved there by protest of the facility being made in wealthier neighborhoods who worried about cancer risks, I also find it hard to blame the people in this neighborhood for their situation.  Of course I am a firm believer that every individual has a part to play in their own betterment; I also do think that there does exist circumstances such that society should have a hand in improving.  This neglected neighborhood being one of them and I know this is one of many.

       

Comments

  1. Alison KleinebreilFebruary 17, 2019 at 7:36 PM

    I thought that your second quote was really powerful. When I read it I was shocked and I didn’t really agree with Lawrence Mead. It’s hard to lump all poor people into one category and say that none of them think rationally.

    ReplyDelete
  2. katieFebruary 17, 2019 at 8:17 PM

    The first quote really stands out to me because I wonder if the children even know that there is something wrong with the situation they are in because it's all they know.

    ReplyDelete

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