A review by danac
Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools by Jonathan Kozol

3.0

This book had many amazing qualities but, was poorly organized. The book was divided into chapters dedicated to each city. Because many of the cities struggled with the same problems (poverty, environmental and systemic racism, aversion to desegregation, overcrowded and hazardous classrooms, fatigued school employees etc) many of the analysis was repetitive and subsequently pedantic, heavy handed and patronizing towards people of color.

This book would have been more impactful if it were divided by issue, saving the best dialogue for the most appropriate time. The paraphrased interviews and conversations were by far the best feature of this book, and their contents would be better highlighted if organized by topic rather than by geographical location.

However, (of course this is a side note- not part of my rating) the best medium for this book is on the big screen. Kozol does the best he can recounting his experiences in these places, but seeing it, and hearing the real voices of the individuals experiencing such systemic neglect would be more impactful than reading the summaries.

If you are interested in making a documentary, read this book and pick up where Kozol left off.