I recently read , in the announcements on icampus of all places, something that I found particularly interesting. The announcement was about Jonathan Kozol and his recent action taken in regards to No Child Left Behind. Since July, Kozol has been on a hunger strike to protest the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which is now up for reauthorization. He is 71. Although I do feel that his cause is a noble one, and that NCLB is an act worth protesting, I cannot help but wonder if Kozol will net a result from his actions. Throughout his career, Kozol has written many eye-opening accounts on the reality faced by many children in America's inner city public schools. His most recent being Letters to a Young Teacher and The Shame of the Nation. His writing is both honest and surreal and allows you to see into the lives of the children who are experiencing unequal educational opportunity in this country. I feel that is impossible for Kozol's activism through his writing to go unnoticed.
It is safe to say that many people have had their disagreements with NCLB since its reenactment in 2002 and that many of these people have voiced their arguments throughout the years. Educators, administrators and parents alike have voiced their opinions in regards to such issues as accountability, funding, etc. Is it possible for Kozol to make more of an impact by going on a hunger strike? And, in general, can one person really make a difference?
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I will be the first to admit, that what I know of Kozol is very little in respect to what I should know - that aside, here are my thoughts in response to the questions stated at the end of the post.
I truly believe it is possible for any one person, someone as influential as Jonathan Kozol or any Jane or John Doe on the street, to make a difference. I say that knowing there is a spectrum or rather a continuum of impact any one person or act can have, but regardless any action will make a difference (good or bad for that matter). My religion in particular speaks of a ladder of giving, and like the quote goes - Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. - either way you are making a difference, one is just a little more long term. In the case of the quote you are making a difference in the life of one individual, where as Mr. Kozol has the influence to impact hundreds of thousands; however, one can argue that by helping an individual you can apply the "Pay It Forward" method and in turn also help hundreds of thousands. I could go on talking about this forever, for it is something I am very passionate about, but the life of a PDS intern is time consuming as we know, so I will simply say this. Yes, a single individual can make a world of a difference.
I believe one person can make a difference, isn't being a teacher being that one person who wants to make a difference? Honestly I have to say that I didn't know Kozol went on a hunger strike. I don't think going on a hunger strike will make a huge impact than just going on a strike. If Kozol can make a difference and NCLB doesn't get resigned then I will be much happier going to get a job. The more Kozol is in the news about going on a hunger strike the more people will become aware of his books. Through reading Kozol's books hopefully NCLB doesn't get resigned. All I wish that happens through this hunger strike is people especially politicians become aware that NCLB isn't the answer to a better education. I absolutely agree with Marla's last sentence in her post. As it is stated in the original post is a hunger strike going to make a huge impact? The only answer I have is we will just have to wait and see what happens.
I feel that the hunger strike that Jonathan Kozol is taking a part of is something a little extreme. I feel that if one person wants to make a big difference on a toic that has been greatly argued you have to do something that is going to benefit the topic itself. Having Kozol go through a hunger strike isn't affecting anyone but himself. It is clear that his actions show how much he cars about the NCLB but at the same time some people may only see it as hurting himself. The NCLB is something that affects so many people: teachers, parents, students, and will take a lot to change it. One man can make a difference but it will take time. Hopefully his actions with make a difference soon so that he doesn't continue to hurt himself in the process.
Although I do believe that one person is able to make a difference, whatever the issue may be, like Melissa said, I don't think that by being on a hunger strike Kozol will accomplish anything pertinent to his cause. If he truly wants to change the track we are going down with the NCLB Act, then he needs to do something directly related to changing federal policy with regards to education. I personally am not sure what he could directly do. He's a fairly influential and "famous" person, so I'm sure that he could probably do more on his own than anyone else working alone just off the streets, but I definitely don't think that he will accomplish anything by depriving his body of its necessary nutrition.
As Jillian said, Jonathan Kozol has written many influential books. Someone recently recommended The Shame of a Nation to me knowing that I am in the education field. While I have yet to begin reading the book, his name sparked my interest and I have read a few things about him. I also saw the announcement on icampus and thought that was very interesting.
First of all, I am not sure that a hunger strike is the best way to go about getting the attention about NCLB. Yes, the hunger strike is only affecting him in negative ways, but I almost feel as if he is doing it because he knows that when people hear a 71 year old is on a hunger strike because of NCLB, it will get a rise out of people.
Jonathan Kozol is a very influential person when it comes to education. I don’t think he needs to go on a hunger strike to protest. I think that if he keeps touring around the US to different schools and speaking about his thoughts, he may get more of a reaction.
In theory, I'd really like to believe that one person can make a difference by something as powerful as going on a hunger strike. However, the truth that I have come to realize through my experiences in life is that the majority of the time, that may get attention but not necessarily change anything. I find this SO unfortunate because Kozol's motives are good and I agree with him wanting to change NCLB. I wish him well in his endevor but I don't feel he'll really have the impact he wants. In the best case scenario, maybe the media attention drawn by his stunt will have some sort of small effect. It probably will not be the major change he is fighting for but even if he convinces one person with decision making power to think differently, there is a chance that a small part of the law will be changed. I'm mixed on this issue because I agree it's a good attempt Kozol is making, fighting for what he believes in, but in my experience one person will not be able to change things as much as they may need to be changed.
I have read excerpts of Johathan Kozol's books and what he has to say really does open up your eyes to the injustice and inequality of our education system in America. This hunger strike, from what I know about him, seems a bit out of character. For how intellectual he is and passionate about education and others he is, I wonder how he thinks a hunger strike will help the NCLB fight against reauthorization.
It will no doubt catch the attention of those in the education field but those in the field of education are mostly aware of the faults of NCLB. The attention of politicians and those who have the power to reauthorize NCLB need to be reached.
One person I strongly feel can make a difference. As others on the blog said earlier, that if you change one life your act/behavior or even sacrifice was worth it. However, typically when an individual sets out to make a difference they also want to bring people together to help aid in making a difference. What starts as an individual's act soon becomes an act of many and that is what will grab the attention of those with the power to change NCLB. Was anyone else part of this hunger strike? What does he think a hunger strike will accomplish?
I as well as many other believe that one person can make a difference. As Lauren pointed out a teacher is one person and they can make a difference. I was recently at a conference and the person speaking was there because one teacher took an interest and pushed him to meet his potential. If that one person was not there and did not believe that they could make a difference that man may not have a spoken to a group of 300 people this past weekend. I have to believe that one person can make a difference because I want to be one of those people that can affect another’s life. As teachers we need to believe that what we are doing has an effect on our students and can change their lives.
In response to Kozol's hunger strike. The fact that we are writing about it right now and having a discussion about him is making a difference. His extreme measure was a way to grab people's attention and make them take a closer look at why he is on a hunger strike. I have seen Kozol speak and read excerpts from his books. He is a passionate man and will go to the extremes for something that he wants people to look at. This one person made us look at an issue and will at least make others talk about it.
In response to Kozol's hunger strike, I feel that he took action, and from this people are going to react. Similar to what some have already said, I believe one act and/or one person can make a difference. And, as Kimberly stated, "typically when an individual sets out to make a difference, they also want to bring people together to help aid in making a difference." I'm not necessarily saying that now a number of people are going to follow in Kozol's footsteps and go on a hunger strike, too; however, I am saying that I firmly believe in the possiblilty of others following in his footsteps by taking what some may consider "extreme action" in response to NCLB. To reiterate, now that he's acted, people are going to react.
As far as his method of making his point, I agree with what several have already said. To me, depriving himself of food is not totally aligned with his goal, but I guess it was just his way of taking a stand for what he believes in.
Furthermore, I really liked the idea that Lauren introduced... "Isn't being a teacher being that one person that wants to make a difference?" I know that I went into teaching because I wanted to have some sort of impact on the world. Unfortunately, I've grown up hearing that teachers can't change the whole world, though. What's important for me to always remember is that even the smallest difference made in a single child's life can make a world of a difference for that child. So, it's become my goal to impact the world, even if it means impacting the world through one individual.
I agree with Kari and think that his hunger strike is not the best way to go about getting the attention about NCLB. I can honestly say that I have yet to meet a person in the educational field that is for NCLB. Many people are against it because of what it has done to our curriculums and what is taught in schools. I do not feel that a hunger strike could possibly stop it. Also, not to sound too bitchy, but a hunger strike is so clique. I do not see the connection between refusing to eat and the impact that NCLB has had. A better way to change NCLB would be a protest or even research on how it is not affective.
In theory, it would be wonderful if all children could be at the same level and be taught in exactly the same way. The fact is is that children learn differently and what good is it to teach only the standards?
I am very for people acting out and speaking their mind, but I think that there could a much more effective and reasonable way of going about it.
I don't really believe that he will be able to make to much of a change for NCLB himself. I think it is great that he is fighting for what he believes in and is trying to make a difference, but I think there are betters ways to go about it. I think the most that could come from this is that he will raise awareness of the issue, which is still great, but I think people who become aware of the issue need to all come together to make change.
I do think that one person can make a difference, but I'm not sure Kozol is going about it the right way. I think that his going on a hunger strike is definately extreme. He may get publicity and noticed by these actions, but I think that there are different ways he could go about fighting for his cause. I have not read any of his books, but from what I hear they are very influential. I think he could accomplish more through his words than he could through going on a hunger strike.
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