Talking Points 2 Aria by Richard Rodriguez

1. "That day, I moved very far away from the disadvantaged child I had been only days earlier. The belief, the calming assurance that I belonged in public, had at last taken hold."

This is the moment in Rodriguez's life when he realized that he had become part of the class. He was no longer an outsider. I think this is a meaningful statement because it points to a very specific discovery in his life and explains how, from that point forward, he would never be the same again for better and worse. He had successfully assimilated but at the cost of losing part of his previous identity that he had found a strange comfort in.

2. "The family's quiet was partly due to the fact that, as we children learned more and more English, we shared fewer and fewer words with our parents."

I think this is the sad side of Rodriguez's story. That the family shared fewer and fewer words reflects a family that is growing apart because they are becoming part of society and no longer share the isolation that once held them together. They share fewer words in the literal sense due to the kids advancing in English and they share fewer words because they aren't as close.

3. "...they do not realize that while one suffers a diminished sense of private individuality by becoming assimilated into public society, such assimilation makes possible the achievement of public individuality."

This is a heavy statement and shows that while Rodriguez understands that something was lost, much more was gained. I think he means that it is better to share with the world all that you have to offer instead of letting that potential go unrealized. He uses the word achievement to describe public individuality because it requires effort and sacrifice to put yourself out their especially when you are not part of the "culture of power". To me, Rodriguez is saying that it is better to show the world who you are, and make a positive contribution to society, instead of withdrawing out of fear.

Conclusion: I enjoyed reading "Aria" because it is a story of personal growth overcoming social obstacles. I think his story translates to more than just language barriers. To me it is not about fitting in, but more about being an individual on a larger scale. A scale on which you can do something positive and inspire others who might not have had the courage.

Kozol Talking Points Take 2

Amazing Grace by Jonathon Kozol

1. "There are children in the poorest, most abandoned places who, despite the miseries and poisons that the world has pumped into their lives, seem, when you first meet them, to be cheerful anyway."

Kozol is referring to Cliffie the seven year old boy, who is showing him around St. Anne street and seems to find a little happiness in such a miserable place. I think it affects Kozol because all around him is sickness and evil and Cliffie still has to live there and be a little boy. Cliffie lives in a place where everything and everyone is working against him and there is really nothing to be happy about. He also uses the word "seem" in referring to Cliffie's happiness because he knows that underneath the smile their is a little boy in pain.

2."..they put a lot of things into our neighborhood that no one wants."

Cliffie's mom is talking to Kozol about the incinerator that the state of NY built in the neighborhood to burn medical waste. It had been previously scheduled to be built in another neighborhood but the parents in the nicer community were able to stop it for fear of cancer risks to their children. It wound up in their neighborhood along with 3000 relocated homeless families that the state had no where to put. She also says that people from nicer neighborhoods come to hers to throw away trash and discarded items in the street. In a sense the area has become a human landfill as well as a literal one.

3. "They ( drug dealers) look at you with this strange smile. It's not just hatred. It's as if they're laughing at their lives--and yours."

I think this closing sentence sums up the grim situation on St Anne. The conditions and the way of life have breed such a complete disregard for human life that living and dying are roughly the same.

Conclusion: I think that Kozol is trying to show you that there are people all around who are forgotten and need help. They are in situations too dire to get out of on their own and it is up to all of us to make their problems our own. We are all in this messed up world together and we should lend a hand instead of turning our backs.

Kozol video

Here is a youtube link to a Kozol interview that relates to class. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scIS_kbB8CU

Talking points on Kozol's Amazing Grace

I read Kozol's Amazing Grace today and it put new perspective on my life. I realized how removed I am from such desolation and how fortunate that makes me. The story of St Ann's Church and its surrounding community and the hardships they have to endure is sad to say the least. The fact that they suffer so much and yet they are located in the backyard of one of the wealthiest areas of NYC seems hard to understand. When Cliffie tells Kozol that he had seen a boy shot in the head and then asks him if he wants a cookie, its as if it didn't phase him because it is his reality. He lives it, so he copes with it. The sickness that surrounds St Anne's doesn't seem tolerable. In your day-to-day life it is easy to get lost in your own small world and chose not to look around for fear of what you might see. -Brian

2nd 1st post.

I failed to follow instruction on my first post. Sorry. This will serve as the real first post. I am Brian Parmentier and this is my first semester back after a long break. I have been working as a Skycap at the airport for the past twelve years and I am looking to change direction. I am juggling work, school, new baby with the help of my wife. I used to play guitar/bass and skateboard when I had time. I look forward to this semester and hope to do well. Thanks. -Brian

1st post

This is my first post on my first blog. I have finally stepped into the 2000's. Hooray for me.