Jonathan Kozol-The Uses of Diversity, Essay Example

Summary

This journal reading is about Jonathan Kozol who was born in 1936 and grew up in Newton, Massachusetts. Kozol attended Harvard University where he graduated with honors and named a Rhodes Scholar. According to this article, Kozol is bringing out his ideas on the diversity in the public and private system of education. First, as an advocator of the rights of children to better or quality education and having taught in public schools in Boston as well as his hometown (Newton), Kozol expresses dismay at the state of public schools both in amenities and in curriculum. Kozol argues that there is great disparity in the notion of diversity in schools, which he terms as “apartheid.” This term he uses to imply segregation, which has continued in the education system especially in major cities of which he gives a clear example of New York. In his letter to Francesca, he echoes his view on diversity by using it rhetorically since it has been adulterated in the education system.

The ideas of Kozol are very sound and profound in the academic system if true democracy is to be achieved. True diversity should be for the good of all in the education sector as it results in appreciation of uniqueness of students regardless of race or social status. Embracing diversity positively will result in equal opportunities for students in all schools. A good education system in this century should not favor one race, either black or white, but rather be universal even as the world becomes integrated digitally. In summary, Kozol’s idea is that instead of segregation in diversity, there should be unity in diversity.