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Alex Kotlowitz's There Are No Children Here

2286 Words10 Pages

In the sociology/black culture novel There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz, Kotlowitz unfolds the story of two boys growing up in Henry Horner Complex (The Other America) on the west side of Chicago. Alex Kotlowitz is also known for his New York Times-winning book The Other Side Of The River. The real story of two African-American children and their family is eye-turning and can bring up many valid questions while reading. Some common questions that appeared were about the future of the family, social groups, and the impact of poverty on kids. The representation of race and racism in the book is particularly striking, as Alex Kotlowitz does not shy away from expressing the harsh realities of living conditions in the projects. Kotlowtiz …show more content…

In the 1990’s, race and racism remained a significant issue in America. The article National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine states, “Throughout the 1990s, assessments of racial and ethnic relations in the United States suggested that we have become increasingly racially polarized. Essayist and political scientist Andrew Hacker declared that, “a huge racial chasm remains, and there are few signs that the coming century will see it closed.” Civil rights activist and legal scholar Derrick Bell offered the bleak analysis that, “racism is an integral, permanent, and indestructible component of this society.”” This book is well designed for reading to be fact full and truth telling. Different readers of the book have different views as to personal connections, from not having any connection to the story or having many connections that make it feel more personal to them. Alex Kotlowitz is known for his deep dives into social issues in America. He tells well and special stories about struggles and triumphs of people in urban …show more content…

Despite Pharoah and Laffeyetes’ intelligence and desire, they are held back by poor teaching and mentorship which results in feeling neglected and or disinvested that plagues schools and other children. The boys’ struggles in school highlight the ways in which racism can limit opportunities for children of color, even those with the potential to be successful. The book "There Are No Children Here" by Alex Kotlowitz offers a stark portrayal of how systemic racism impacts the lives of two young African American brothers, Lafeyette and Pharoah Rivers. The conflict with racism is evident through the segregation and neglect faced by the residents of the housing project, which is predominantly occupied by Black families. This segregation is a direct result of historical and systemic racial policies that have marginalized Black communities, limiting their access to quality education, employment, and safe living conditions. Moreover, the institutional racism that the Rivers family and their community endure is manifested in the lack of support and resources provided to

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