The BIG Picture: Beyond "Ravitch vs. Rhee"

By Derrick Brown (follow on Twitter @dbrowndbrown)

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* ...

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 ...

1. This Is Only A Test, by Jonathan Kozol (New York Times Sunday Book Review) (September 26, 2013)
   
2. The Two Faces of American Education, by Andrew Diblanco (New York Review of Books) (October 10, 2013)
3. 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.