JONATHON KOZOL

“AMAZING GRACE”

This author Johnathon Kozol argues that with a train ride of only 18 minutes 9 stops there is a drastic change in the concentration of race, ethnicity and way of life for the individuals living on East 59 St. (which is considered to be one of the richest congressional district in the nation). To Brook Avenue (one of the poorest district). This he says is due to racial segregation. In this piece the Author mainly focuses on the hardship and deplorable conditions of those living in Washington Heights and Harlem community.

 “The deadliest block, in the deadliest precinct in the city”. He also said “if there is a deadlier place in the United States, I don’t know it.” I was completely taken back by this because it spoke volumes about the crime rate in this community. Crimes that not only affected adults but children alike. They are killing because of drugs, poverty and because children live what they learn. They grow up seeing this and if some really hard work is not put in this violent cycle is sure continue with them.

“Virtually every child at St. Ann’s knows someone, a relative or neighbor who has died of AIDS”

 This is an extremely sad realization. The prostitution, crack-cocaine and the use of intravenous heroin heightens the HIV/AIDS epidemic in this community and no one is protected from the diseases and addictions because they eat breathe and live this toxic type of lifestyle. What’s even more disheartening is that if they try to live above it they are hated. It tells how hard it is to strive in a setting like this.

 “Clumping so many people, all with the same symptoms and the same problems, in one crowded place with nothin’ they can grow on.” This is so telling of the way they try to oppress and segregate people considered to be minority of the minority. How can one better the other when they are all facing the same dilemma?

Connections:

I was reminded of my readings from Privilege, Power and difference when I read this excerpt “The waste products of some of these hospitals, she says, were initially going to be burned at an incinerator scheduled to be built along the east side of Manhattan, but the siting of a burner there had been successfully resisted by the parents of the area because of fear for cancer.” Johnson stated that one’s privilege is another’s detriment.

Extended comment:

Vicky wrote that she was surprised by the nonchalant attitude in which the nurse spoke to Kozol about the AIDS victim in the community. I must say I agree with her. It I was also baffled to know that the prostitutes don’t hesitate to pass on the disease. That’s showing absolutely no regards for another person’s life and that’s no way to live at all. It’s sad that they look at this as the norm.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/03/21st-century-segregation-divided-race