When I was reading City Kids City Schools I had a ton of questions come into my head. A couple of them were: Why is clam and “socially” well behaved a good thing? What makes the middle class way of life so fun and enjoyable? How many times have you seen someone who is financially comfortable but unhappy with their life? These questions make me wonder where the discomfort comes from.
These students are not afraid to question what is happening around them in school or to voice their opinions. In Mr. B.’s class the students were engaged and when they couldn’t do what they wanted they asked why. These behaviors are not seen in a regular class. The students rarely express how they feel about the topics. Sometimes the students just agree with the teacher so they can get a good grade. On page 34 Paulo Freire expresses the problem with the ideas of teaching. He says teaching is not just importing your knowledge on to others but helping others understand what you know.
The story of Ellis, in “One of ‘These Children’”, is a great example for a student who does the right thing in school but because of his social life he was judged. Most low income students have to have associations with gang member for survival or a gang member might be in their family. However Ellis made the choice to be a part of his schooling and become an active student in school; a place that is thought to be positive and safe. If teachers continue to judge the students and not accept them for the culture each students has, then the students have a hard time at succeeding.
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