In Chapter 9, Kozol refers to conversations he has had with teachers, principals, and school administrator about what needs to be done about the situation in schools. One teacher stated, “We need our teachers marching in the streets” (215). Kozol infers that what may be needed is a ‘revolution’ to fix the problems of education; “if it takes a new round of sit-ins to put the issue back on the national agenda, so be it” (216).
Kozol shares thoughts of others in regards to their experiences of integration. He points out that the time to start this is in elementary school, because then children can “simply be children with each other…it’s more difficult to conjure up ‘the other’ when your building sand castles together” (227). Integrated education works, if given the chance to. There will always be issues and arguments between students, but this is not due to race, but is rather part of normal kid interaction. One solution to the problem of having segregated schools is integration of neighborhoods. Part of the solution is that of showing those who receive Section Eight housing other places within their means to live. This is one step in the right direction.
There are many people who believe that integration of all schools is possible, and the best way for low-income students to succeed, “it is foolhardy to think black children can be taught, no matter how well, in isolation and then have the skills and confidence as adults to succeed in a white world where they have no experience” (229). It is only appropriate that a student’s classroom reflect the make-up of the world. Kozol states that several students he spoke to, who were bussed or part of the transfer program, enjoyed their schools and were inspired to go to college, whereas before, they may have not. It is not surprising, that because this is working, that there are people who want it stopped. It seems as though there are people who want and need to keep others down; this is sad.
It is my hope that people who are opposed to more integrated schools will see the positive benefits that exist. I can see that it will be my job as a teacher to make sure that this happens.
