The Paradox Of Education, By James Baldwin

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

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