{ title: 'The Spectrum (Buffalo, N.Y.) 1955-current, October 22, 1979, Page 2, Image 2', download_links: [ { link: 'http://www.loc.gov/rss/ndnp/ndnp.xml', label: 'application/rss+xml', meta: 'News about NYS Historic Newspapers - RSS Feed', }, { link: '/lccn/np00130006/1979-10-22/ed-1/seq-2/png/', label: 'image/png', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/np00130006/1979-10-22/ed-1/seq-2.pdf', label: 'application/pdf', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/np00130006/1979-10-22/ed-1/seq-2/ocr.xml', label: 'application/xml', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/np00130006/1979-10-22/ed-1/seq-2/ocr.txt', label: 'text/plain', meta: '', }, ] }
Image provided by: University at Buffalo
N * I CL Radical teacher and author speaks but for fight against nation's illiteracy *Mfo HN#9f OfiBfl OUT IfN to OfAftf BOCfBtiBM’ by Ant MtiwtiM Spectrum Staff Writer Many American educators, at well at others angered by the fadings of our nation’s schools, have found solace in Korol’s words, and hope within his exposes of the injustice inherent in the educational system. His first autobiographical work. Death at an barty Age, details hit experience at a fourth-grade teacher in a nearly ail-black Boston school which ended with his firing from the job eight days before the end of the academic year. He described the reasons for hit dismissal, remembering that “Long ago there was a civil rights movement. In that movement there was a symbol, very frightening, an ‘equals’ sign.” The principal of the school, he said, noticed the equality pin on Kozol’s lapel. The author recalled the administrator’s comment, \It’s a very pretty jnn, Mr. Kozol, but don’t wear it in the Boston public schools.” “She was very naive,” Kozol told the audience, “because she thought I thought it was the pin that really mattered. But I knew it was the idea of equality that drove her crazy.” Now, Kozol it not so angry and even a bit more hopeful that the problems of education—specifically illiteracy—- can be successfully dcalth with in the United States. A lantern and a book. With only these weapons in the battle against illiteracy, a' corps of young Cubans traversed the back roads of rural villages, at part of a revolutionary plan: They would conquer the inability to read that plagued 23.6 percent of the post-Batista population. And they did it. not as a missionary gestu but as part of an egalitarian social movement. Renewed educator and author Jonathon\ Kozol is excited about the success of the Cuban literacy movement. Wednesday night in UB’s Fillmore Room, Kozol spoke enthusiastically about the effort explaining that, “one-hundred thousand ‘teachers’ (40 percent of whom were fourteen years-old or younger) got a brief, rapid training in the use of a primer specially designed for the campaign.” In a period of approximately nine months, he added, they taught almost all Cuban adults to read, ”... for the sake of the nation.” 1 Kozol’s most recent book. Children of the Revolution, details the two months he spent in Cuba documenting the crusade and talking with students and teachers. “If 'we want to make significant rather than trivial change (in this country's educational system), we must open our eyes to other societies.” he maintained. A long-time activist and advocate of racism-free “just education,” Kozol has found the inspiration been looking for in the Cuban zeal to abolish ignorance. The author’s ‘‘just education” concept retittaaft social and racial Equality accented by the freedom tonS&lop individual potential. , The numbers are staggering—30 million adult Ameskaps are fuactfenaDy ■ ilHueate—-unable to write coherent, well-structured compositions and comprehend bask writing. In November 1978 The Chicago Tribune reported that 13 percent of all 17 year-olds (and 42 percent of Black 17 year-olds) lack reading skills necessary for filling out job applications. Korol advocates a national campaign to abolish illiteracy, with a national commitment to equal, quality education. Environmental law Rkhard Lippcs, the legal counsel for the Love Canal Homeowners Association, will bo speaking on cnvironmcatal law Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in 179 Fillmore, Ellkott Complex, Amherst Campus. He will be discussing the structure of New York State environmental law and where problems exist In It. In addition, he will be relating his personal experiences whkh range from special consultant to F. Lee Bailey on Three- Mile Island, to chairperson of the New York Chapter of the Sierra Club. Following his talk there will be an open forum for question. He is by Rachel Carson College and Group Legal Services. Indoctrinated with complacence From his experiences in Boston, Kozoi went on to seek an alternative education system. Free Schools, his second book, was an attempt to combine a program for an open, “just education” with a firm grounding in hard academic subjects. ~ Years later, full of anger, he poured out The Night is Dark and I am Far From Home, a harsh indictment of secondary education, in which students are indoctrinated—covertly and patriotically, he charges— to resign themselves to injustice, poverty and war. ATTENTION: (STUDENTS & FACULTY Here’s your last chance to buy your Studio Arena Theatre Tickets. $24.00 for 6 great shows regular price $34,50 “My Husband’s Wild Desires Almost Drove Me Mad” by John Tobias will be the next play at Studio Arena Tickets are available for Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday evening shows, at the Squire Ticket Office Subscription holders get these benefits: 1- on ticket prices 2- reserved seats 3- ticket exchange 4- weather policy phone in to exchange tickets 5- insurance-if you lose your ticket, just call in for a new one. Get Them While They Last!!
