I write books to change the world. Perhaps I can only change one little piece of that world. … - Jonathan Kozol

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America was born of revolt, flourished on dissent, became great through experimentation.

Jonathan Kozol

I write books to change the world. Perhaps I can only change one little piece of that world. But if I can empower teachers and good citizens to give these children, who are the poorest of the poor, the same opportunity we give our own kids, then I'll feel my life has been worth it.

Book, Children, Give, Life, Poor, Teacher

Same Author Quotes

I emphasize teachers because they are largely left out of the debate. None of the bombastic reports that come from Washington and think tanks telling us what needs to be 'fixed' - I hate such a mechanistic word, as if our schools were automobile engines - ever asks the opinions of teachers.

Bombastic, Come, Education, Hate, Teacher, Teachers

I always want to tell these young idealists that the world is not as dangerous as many in the older generation want them to believe. . . The [people] for whom I feel the greatest sadness are the ones who choke on their beliefs, who never act on their ideals, who never know the state of struggle in a decent cause, and never know the thrill of even partial victories.

Beliefs, Believe, Greatest, Sadness, Struggle, Victories

I have been criticized throughout the course of my career for placing too much faith in the reliability of children's narratives; but I have almost always found that children are a great deal more reliable in telling us what actually goes on in public school than many of the adult experts who develop policies that shape their destinies.

Actually, Children, Destiny, Faith, School, Telling

Good teachers don't approach a child of this age with overzealousness or with destructive conscientiousness. They're not drill-masters in the military or floor managers in a production system. They are specialists in opening small packages. They give the string a tug but do it carefully. They don't yet know what's in the box. They don't know if it's breakable.

Approach, Breakable, Children, Military, Overzealousness, Teacher

Separate and unequal didn't work 100 years ago. It will not work today.

Today, Work, Years, Years Ago