Finn-tastic!

Patrick J. Finn, "Literacy with an Attitude"
Extended Comments, Dortu's Blog

   Patrick Finn discusses the differences in education between the working class and the elite and the many problems that arise due to the lack of education for the poor.  He sides with the working class and poor because of the rare educational opportunities they receive. It's about the resistance of working class children to the kind of education they typically receive, education designed to make them useful workers and obedient citizens. He talks about the working-class habits of communication and ways of using language that interfere with schooling. It's about a new brand of teachers, followers of Brazilian educator Paulo Freire who are developing effective methods for teaching powerful literacy in American working-class classrooms. It's about teacher networks where teachers devoted to equity and justice find mutual support. Where community organizers bring working-class parents together around education issues and help them mount effective demands for powerful literacy for their children. Obviously privelege and power go hand in hand with the educational opportunities rich and working class social classes receive.  The working class receive less substantial education due to their place in society and usually have no say on what type of education their children are receiving.  If you have money and you come from the wealthy class, you will obtain a far more better education and better paying jobs.  Basically this goes hand in hand with Johnson's "Privelege, Power, and Difference," because your life is determined by your background and wealth.  Education differs across the board whether you're rich, working class or poor.  Is this right?  Far from it depending on who you ask.  Wealthy parents are more likely to see nothing wrong with it while you go down the socio-economic classes you will find more problems with the structure of educational opportunities.  I'm sorry if I offend anybody but it's a known fact and it's discrimination all over again.  We may have made big strides toward ridding out racism but socio-economic class differences are a heavy problem in todays society.  Johnson states in his article that our lives are pre-determined while we are in the womb but equality in education is determined by how much money you have.  If your parents have money you have a higher chance of succeeding and having a better quality of life.  Your chances of survival are far more greater than the poverty stricken student who is living in a "Institution vs. Individual" society.  Where your back is against the world and every little move factors in your survival.  Well some would say only the strong survive.  Well that's hard to do if you're wondering where your next meal is coming from or if your lights are going to be on when you come home from school.  Equal opportunities in school should be mandated for all classes, race and genders.  It shouldn't depend on how much money you have, the color of your skin etc..  Like Dortu stated, it should depend on merit rather than where you live or how you are classified.  The chance of getting into that top notch college or high paying job should depend on your scores and extracurricular programs.  Like Finn suggests along with Paolo Freire, we need to start resisting rather than going along with the social norm.  Nothing will ever change if we just continue to just go through the motions.  Again like Dortu had stated change is hard when you're up against money.  Because with money comes power and with power comes respect.  Education is key to turning things around for the best and to start we need equal opportunities in order to sustain an equal playing field.

Questions/Comments
How would you enforce change?  How would you go about it?  Who would you talk to in order not to step on any toes?  How would you prepare yourself for the baclkash of the elite parents and society?  Is it safer to not say anything at all?  Do you see changes in the near future?  I agree with Dortu that there are many complications with the educational system but we need to start taking a stand and making a difference but is it possible?  Have educators, parents, students and society already been taking a stand and how many changes have been accomplished?  We've all experienced disadvantages and unequal opportunities, what are you going to do about it?