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nikkigorman's review against another edition
5.0
It's possible this was a reread -- some of the information seemed familiar, but if I did in fact read this book before, it was long enough ago that I no longer retained any of the specific details. I have a lot of respect for Jonathan Kozol and his work for educational equity in America (and may be just a tad impartial because I got to meet him and assist with his appearance at my college during my graduate studies).
Highly recommend if you are interested in or passionate about equity in public schools, racist policies in public education, and the blight of inner city education. The most shocking thing about this book is that Kozol wrote it in the early 90s, and not much has changed in the past 30 years. This book might make you feel outraged (or at least it SHOULD make you feel outraged). It also seems like the solution to the inequities of public education in America is pretty straight forward, but for the inherent underlying systems of white supremacy that perpetuate and deepen the divide between more affluent white people, and lower income Black Americans and other citizens of color, specifically in urban areas. This read helps remind why I strongly believe in public education and the work that I personally do, and inspires me to start thinking about (and hopefully someday acting on) ways to remedy the American public education crisis.
Highly recommend if you are interested in or passionate about equity in public schools, racist policies in public education, and the blight of inner city education. The most shocking thing about this book is that Kozol wrote it in the early 90s, and not much has changed in the past 30 years. This book might make you feel outraged (or at least it SHOULD make you feel outraged). It also seems like the solution to the inequities of public education in America is pretty straight forward, but for the inherent underlying systems of white supremacy that perpetuate and deepen the divide between more affluent white people, and lower income Black Americans and other citizens of color, specifically in urban areas. This read helps remind why I strongly believe in public education and the work that I personally do, and inspires me to start thinking about (and hopefully someday acting on) ways to remedy the American public education crisis.
kelsied's review against another edition
Too negative. It serves to introduce to inequalities in our schools, and maybe I put it down because I was too familiar with the information. It felt repetitive and deficit based, which is a shame because I heard great things and learned a lot from some of his articles and interviews.
mikewomack's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this book for an Ed class a few years back. I read a couple of chapters but then put it down. Too many other things I had to read. So it's been sitting on my bookshelf for a few years. And now I teach in a school with "savage inequalities" and just down the road from a rich school. As I read this book I kept checking off areas of inequity that I see ever day.
Savage Inequalities is depressing in many ways. But it always seems like the dark things inspire light. I think this book might help spread a little light.
Savage Inequalities is depressing in many ways. But it always seems like the dark things inspire light. I think this book might help spread a little light.
dr_kr's review against another edition
5.0
Everyone with any involvement in education should read this. I read this many years ago at the beginning of my career, read it again this year It was just as powerful as it was the first time.
t2p's review against another edition
4.0
Assigned reading for my last education class, I have to admit that I was surprised that the professor assigned such an older title. (Especially as Kozol has several newer books.) There is so much heartbreaking and thought-provoking in this, but the real tragedy is that 30 years later none of the issues have been resolved. At all.
hobbitony's review against another edition
feels weird to assign a rating to this book because i think anyone in education ought to read this. i don't want to deter away away from it because of my arbitrary rating system.
what i will say however is I'm disappointed but not surprised. I've been one who's been able to see the difference firsthand of the quality in education in money between towns. it matters. money matters. it's not right.
what i will say however is I'm disappointed but not surprised. I've been one who's been able to see the difference firsthand of the quality in education in money between towns. it matters. money matters. it's not right.
jamiecoughlin's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most shocking books I've ever read about our unequal country. Kozol details how educational inequality is actually far worse than it was at the time of Plessy v Ferguson. Our education system is a mechanism for reinforcing a caste system where poor children are destined for menial labor, and wealthy children are guaranteed to inherit their high position in society. The way inequality is imposed on children is tragic, evil, and grotesque. If you have any interest in education and the deep roots that ensure wealth and poverty stay concentrated where they are, read this.