Patrick J. Finn- Literacy with an Attitude

After reading Literacy with an Attitude, I started to think about how unfair school can be, depending on where you grow up. Finn talks about two types of education, one that teaches kids how to think for themselves and become leaders, and another that just trains kids to follow rules and get by. It reminded me of how some schools in rich areas have updated books, more arts programs, and time for critical thinking, while schools in "poorer" neighborhoods are focused on test prep and discipline. It feels like the system is set up to keep poor kids from getting the same chances as rich ones. This idea really connects to what's happening in society in the past few years. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, students in wealthy areas had access to laptops, stable internet, and quiet places to learn. Meanwhile, kids in low-income areas often shared devices with siblings, had to work jobs to help their families, or didn't even have Wi-Fi. This example of what is known as the “digital divide” showed how education is not equal. Finn’s book explains how this inequality isn’t just random, it’s part of a bigger system that holds people back unless they’re already ahead. That made me realize that school isn’t just about learning, it’s about who gets power. Everything comes back to those Aspects Of Power in the earlier article. What really stood out to me was the idea that literacy can be a form of power. If we learn to speak up, think critically, and understand how the world works, then it's important for us to fight for change. Finn is right: real literacy doesn’t just help you get a job, it helps you challenge the world around you.


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