By Derrick Brown (follow on Twitter @dbrowndbrown)
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Both Michelle Rhee's and Diane Ravitch's views of public
education are relevant - much like the differing views of W. E. B.
DuBois and Booker T. Washington (regarding the uplift and advancement of
African-Americans).
Civil discourse - especially between dissenters - promotes growth.
It treats differing views as diametrically opposed points on the same circle, and subjects both to a bigger picture - one where the *circle* is more important than the *points* ...
Civil discourse - especially between dissenters - promotes growth.
It treats differing views as diametrically opposed points on the same circle, and subjects both to a bigger picture - one where the *circle* is more important than the *points* ...
Ravitch vs. Rhee
Like W.E.B. vs. Booker T.?
Well, could be ...
We shall see
Both raise fair points
Both are followed by throngs
Neither has the answers
Neither embraces their wrongs
Pray that purpose trumps agendas
And for civil discourse
That the immovable object
Meets the irresistible force
The object is a system
Never designed to achieve
But rather to control
What we think and believe
Protected by the "old school"
Attacked by the "new new"
By doing the "same ole, same ole"
Wrapped in rhetorical "fru fru"
The force? Original thought
That inspires us to think
And recognize the kool-aid
Then refuse to drink
Kindly refuse this political seduction
Focus instead on work and production
Reach - then teach
Practice - don't preach
Help Johnny read & write
Think, count, and create
To lead by first serving
To love, grow and relate
Challenge him to say
But to do even more
And to handle success
Like he's succeeded before
To influence his circle
By continuing to "be"
Ignore "being somebody"
Trying to create history
To make his dreams manifest
Even if no one else sees
And to stick to his guns
Even if no one else agrees.
To learn more ...
To learn more ...
- This Is Only A Test, by Jonathan Kozol (New York Times Sunday Book Review) (September 26, 2013)
- The Two Faces of American Education, by Andrew Diblanco (New York Review of Books) (October 10, 2013)
- TWEET (9/28/2013): Rhee's and Ravitch's views r relevant - but r 2 pts on same circle. The *circle* is more important than the *pts*. http://bit.ly/1fyiYbd
Copyright © 2013 Derrick Brown. All Rights Reserved.
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