Literary Critique of “The Shame of the Nation”

“The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America”
In “The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America,” activist and author Jonathan Kozol explores the modern-day segregation of children in various public schools across the nation. Years of hands-on research and experience, coupled with the personal accounts of the children and teachers at such schools enables Kozol’s work to be poignantly informative. “The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America” illustrates the disconcerting reality of poor and minority children of urban schools, most of whom are comprised of African-American and Hispanic families, that have become so segregated to a degree comparable to that of a pre-Brown v. Board of Education era. Throughout the book Kozol presents data that shows unpleasantly ironic situations; he mentions how it is like a “slap in the face to pioneers” such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr., who fought for equality, yet, the schools bearing their names are typically the least integrated. In another instance, Kozol shows the discrepancy between the rich “white” children’s education and that of the poor minorities who attend the segregated urban schools; the more privileged private schools benefit from extra teachers, enrichment programs, smaller class sizes and significant monetary contributions from the parents. On the other hand, segregated schools rarely have any financial contributions where essentials like textbooks, teachers, and school building repair do not get fixed. Despite such circumstances, Kozol also highlights the people who are constantly trying to work through the constraints, such as compelling teachers, principals and especially, the students themselves. Jonathan Kozol’s knowledgeable background and passion for education reform powers the work to be eye opening and creates motivation for change.

By Erika Viado