ipl-logo

The Paradox Of Education, By James Baldwin

673 Words3 Pages

Education is the process in which someone is being taught and acquiring knowledge. The knowledge we acquire prepares us for the future that is waiting upon us. The purpose of education is to produce people who are capable of making their own decisions and think for themselves. We discover ourselves through education and discover what we must develop on. In the quote, “The paradox of education is precisely this - that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which he [one] is being educated.” James Baldwin is trying to say that as become more educated, we, ironically, begin to examine, question, and even reject what we have been taught. Meaning the society in which we are being educated is trying to produce students who are capable of challenging the societies value. This is where there’s a paradox, since societies are building schools in which it produces students that challenge the societies itself, as this is the only way once can see progress. Education is building us to examine society and further improve it. It furthers our intelligence, and without it there …show more content…

As a kid, one dreams big. But as they become more aware of their surroundings, they start to realize that not everyone is going to achieve their dreams and goals. These kids who I grew up with, had no hope as they thought we were bound to fail due to us coming from a low-income neighborhood. But this is not the case, we must show the youth that we can escape poverty. We can buy our mother that mansion we always wanted to. As I become more conscious, as Baldwin says, I analyze the society in which I was being educated and I try to look on how I can further improve my society. I have a lot to learn and I hope that at Syracuse University I can earn the education to become more conscious and continue helping my society

Show More
Related
1121 Words | 5 Pages

I viewed Frontline a documentary series, which episode was entitled Poor Kids. The frontline personnel spent time with three children Kailey, Johnny, and Britany along with their families as they all struggle financially. We perceive a glimpse of what it is like to live below the poverty line in America through a child’s eyes. While observing the documentary, I became consciously aware that children who are considered poor or living below the poverty line were more mindful of the responsibilities of life. The children were worrisome of the lack of employment for their parents, bills, and in Britney’s case; how they would accommodate their way of living to support a new addition to the family.

Read More
796 Words | 4 Pages

These effects additionally bleed into the subsequent generation. Arleen and Vanetta’s children were not given the opportunity to settle in a single neighborhood, matriculate at a single school, and build long-lasting relationships with peers and mentors. This cycle of poverty speaks to the greater effects that a trend can enact on a

Read More
1350 Words | 6 Pages

Baldwin’s theory for education could not only improve an individual 's morality but also it could help someone figure out who they truly are. Finding yourself is important part in one 's life because it defines who you truly are not who you want to be or who you are when you’re around certain people. Also, Baldwin says, “It is your responsibility to change society if you think of yourself as an educated person.” Having been an educated person Baldwin believed it was

Read More
867 Words | 4 Pages

Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is a captivating memoir about the early life of Jeannette Walls and her family. It demonstrates the darker side of the American dream as they struggle with poverty, homelessness, bullying, hunger, and as far as the children's neglectful treatment from their parents. “The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, the set of ideals (democracy, rights, liberty, opportunity and equality) in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, as well as an upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers.” (cited https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dream) We see multiple instances of poverty, homelessness, discrimination,

Read More
859 Words | 4 Pages

The sky is limited to what you can build, and what can happen to you and your family" expressed Sanford I. Weill. With low levels of belief in the value of hard work and high levels of stress among poor respondents in the U.S. as a starting point, it compares optimism about the future across poor respondents of difference races. The poor minorities were much more optimistic about the future than other people. There are high costs to being poor in America, where winners win big losers fall hard. Indeed, the dream, with its focus on individual initiative in a meritocracy, has resulted in far less public support than there is in other countries for safety nets, vocational training, and community support for those with disadvantage or bad

Read More
165 Words | 1 Pages

A higher education pushes individuals to think, question and explore new and valuable ideas. An excellent education teaches students how to credibly think and prioritise when learning. David Wallace, who gave the Kenyon commencement speech, quoted, “[Learning how to think] means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience”. In his speech, Wallace is endorsing the idea that a higher education doesn't just throw knowledge at students, but it teaches them how to selectively compose their thoughts and construct a meaning from knowledge. Wallace also makes the point that individuals need to learn to adjust their “natural default setting” to become less self-centered.

Read More
747 Words | 3 Pages

Living a harsh and strained early life, Baldwin decided to tell his story and the story of other African Americans through literature. In Baldwin’s view, “Education is indoctrination if you're white - subjugation if you're black.” Baldwin, who experienced mass violence and racial hatred, did not want innocent blacks going to school to endure racial hatred and discrimination. He wanted a society with freedom and equality, as he tried to persuade individuals through his inspiring literary works. Despite all his efforts, American society still discriminated blacks in education.

Read More
654 Words | 3 Pages

The Power of Education Education can be for both better and worse. Several different views of education are located everywhere in A Lesson Before Dying. While most people would say education is what helps people get somewhere in this world, being too educated can lead people to becoming selfish individuals. Whether it is about black v. white education, book smarts v. street smarts, or how education does not mean everything, Ernest J. Gaines novel is bleeding with ways on how education affects the events in the novel.

Read More
476 Words | 2 Pages

In the article 7 kids 1 apartment What Poverty Means to This Teen by Courtney stein a young boy named Jairo Gomez lives with his mother and 6 siblings in tiny apartment, he explains how he had to grow up fast for his age to help his mother. He quotes how his having to work 13 hour shifts and making food deliveries on his bike just to help his mother. Jairo has also explained how he failed all of his classes because he was missing school to be at home and take care of his younger siblings. Facing these hardships, it was an eye opener to him and instead of continuing to suffer in school he deiced to have a talk with his mom and explain to her that he wants to be able to graduate. Jairo pushed himself more and more to overcome his tragedy.

Read More
1179 Words | 5 Pages

The only way dreams will be achieved is coming from the youth who want to make a difference. By informing the youth at a young age allows them to understand the challenges they will face, and what can they do to help rise above and achieve the American Dream of an equality society for all African-Americans. Through the American Dream, this allowed African-Americans to aspire to be something within our society and the equality that they

Read More
1070 Words | 5 Pages

Education is the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life. In each essay, all three authors ward against the dangers with the education system of their era. Whether it be diversity, segregation or the goals of the system itself the authors believe changes need to be made, as education systems form the future leaders of our society. Through their text the authors believe they must solve the faults within the education systems, to conform society to what they believe is morally and ethically correct.

Read More
540 Words | 3 Pages

In 1981 Ronald Regan had just become president; the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series, NASA released their first space shuttle and a Man decided it was time for his life to change. In Los Angeles where the sun had presumably been shining and the city rejoiced in response to the dodger’s elite performance the man began to pack his bags and prepare to leave. He left his bed, then his room, and finally the door, he had given himself to the world. Across different time-zones, climates, and cultures the man traveled his heart and brain ruthlessly clashed the entire trip until he reached the destination. One foot followed the other forcefully planted in the soil of Manhattan, New York.

Read More
714 Words | 3 Pages

Different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds take a massive toll on the American nation - in moral, civic and economic terms (Kopp 2012). In fact, children living in struggle during formative years affect their life and attitude (“Jonathan Kozol” 2012). Most family’s situation is too honest to have to panhandle in the street. The cruel fact caused that those poor children cannot accept a well education. It is a crucial reminder that most economically disadvantaged children will not overcome their circumstances unless we commit ourselves to systemic changes and eliminate the root causes, from poverty to segregation (Kopp 2012).

Read More
798 Words | 4 Pages

Education is crucial. It develops us as a whole, which leads to discovery, which then, leads to greatness. Education is the catalyst of every country, and we all know that. It’s common sense. Education is the powerhouse for us to keep on moving.

Read More
742 Words | 3 Pages

The purpose of education is to create the “catalyst”, - the interest, the imagination, the self-confidence, the enthusiasm for further knowledge that helps a person grow beyond what they believe they can be. Education should help develop skills and knowledge, so students can be productive members of society. The more knowledge you have, the more opportunities you have in life. I think back to my childhood and the teachers that made an impact in my life. I want to be that catalyst for students.

Read More

More about The Paradox Of Education, By James Baldwin

Related Topics

Open Document