Why The Shame of the Nation?

The Common Reading Committee is pleased to announce the selection of the Common Reading for the 2008-09 school year:  Jonathan Kozol’s The Shame of the Nation:  The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America (2005), a critical examination of the resegregation of public schools in the United States, what he calls a “national horror hidden in plain view.”  Kozol shares the voices of children and educators from many of these “unequal” schools, challenging us to act in the best interest of all our citizens.

The selection of the Common Reading is always a challenging process.  This committee examined a wide range of books, including works from  literature and economics, among others, each one exploring problems of concern to the global community.  So how did we settle on Kozol’s Shame of the Nation?

First, the fact that inequality exists affects each and every one of us.  The problem of inequality in education was apparent long before Brown v. Board of Education.   Over the past 50 years, our federal and state governments, along with local school boards and administrators, have grappled with this problem in a wide variety of ways.  Yet, as Kozol shows us, we may be more unequal at this time than in any previous moment of American education.  By exploring over 50 schools in a five year span, and drawing upon his own work with inner city school children and teachers, Kozol paints a picture of education in our country that many of us may not recognize given that it differs so much from our educational experiences.  Understanding this inequality is essential if we are to act as “informed leaders motivated by concern for the common good.” 

Second, we all must respond to the moral and ethical dilemmas we face in trying to address inequality.  Better understanding inequality in education enables us to critically examine the various actions being taken across the country and explore alternative actions that can address these problems, problems we will likely deal with throughout our lives.  Kozol reviews many of the school reforms, from standardized testing and No Child Left Behind, to benchmarking and school district funding formulas.  His perspectives help us to reflect upon our own views, and develop a better sense of the issues involved in education and educational reform.

Third, the book is a wonderful example of scholarly argument for our students.  While many will disagree with some of the claims and ideas Kozol puts forward, his book demonstrates how we combine research, experience, and personal perspectives into a disciplined, yet passionate, argument to support a thesis.  It also shows how we translate our research and knowledge into action in the world, addressing one of the more important moral and ethical questions of our lives. 

Finally, Kozol represents the Teacher/Scholar and lifelong learning models so valued by our community.   Kozol is a 71 year old graduate of Harvard, from a wealthy Boston family.  After graduating from Harvard, he chose to start working in Boston’s inner city schools, and continues to do so after almost 50 years.  He has dedicated his life to his beliefs and ideals, and he helps each of us recognize what we can accomplish when we choose to act upon our beliefs.

For the record, Kozol is a National Book Award-winning author.  Among his other books are Death at an Early Age, Rachel and Her Children, Illiterate America, Savage Inequalities, and Amazing Grace.  His newest book is entitled Letters to a Young Teacher.  Many of these are or will be available in our bookstore.  They are excellent reading.

If you have any questions about this Common Reading, or suggestions for activities to support the reading, contact the committee at brayes@elon.edu.
Thank you,

2008-09 Common Reading Committee
Steve Braye, Chair, English  
Heidi Frontani, Geography
Patti Gross, Assistant to the Dean of Cultural and Special Programs
Jean Schwind, English
George Troxler, Dean of Cultural and Special Programs
Janet Warman, General Studies Director