When reading “Amazing Grace” by Jonathan Kozol, many questions came up mid-chapter. My questions about readings are not usually answered but were by the end of the chapter. Amazing Grace definitely took me out of my comfortable bubble and showed me what children go through throughout the world. I have definitely heard about New York and the prostitutes, AIDS, etc but never heard how many young children are affected and actually lose their lives because of it. It was sad to me how young children are aware of the dangers around them and have to deal with these situations such as asthma and oxygen tanks. Children should never have to deal with anything this hard. The quote “Our children start to mourn themselves before their time.” (11) stuck with me while reading this text.
The fact that the city has such complicated processes to help the poor like SSI and not being able to have money for the living, never mind spending money on the deceased. It makes me sick the way health is treated in the United States. Even just providing free hygiene products, tampons, condoms, etc. Human beings get judged for getting pregnant and not taking care of themselves, making it so difficult to receive health care and dental. Overall this text just made me remember how awful humans are treated in the United States and how there are people losing their lives every day because of it.
It really is so sad to read about what these children are going through. The quote you used really difficult to read because its something we wish a child didn't have to feel.
ReplyDeleteYou start to hint at the systemic issues here with the health care dilemma. Good connections...
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