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Paradox Of Education In A Talk To Teachers By James Baldwin

Decent Essays

Education is meant to broaden the minds of incoming generations to the diverse cultures and aspects of the world. While its purpose is meant to open up horizons, it has also held up the task of oppressing opposing thoughts and judgments. Author James Baldwin exposes this truth in his article, “A Talk to Teachers,” as he chastises the education system’s contradicting actions inasmuch as the support of an all-encompassing education while scorning unconventional thinking. Baldwin’s purpose to confront the antithetical activity to hopefully change the system’s ways is attempted by persuading teachers who “deal with the minds and hearts of young people” that a paradox of education occurs when students develop a conscience--they become “at war” with society--is valid in that education should allow development for individual thoughts and varied opinions to challenge for the reconstruction of society’s oppressive nature.
Modern society has started a war against education’s support of free thoughts and differing opinions, attempting to reduce developing minds into clones of general normalcy. It has oppressed thoughts in students who contribute to the defiance of conforming to the populous status quo; unlike the status quo, education encourages eccentric opinions and allows students to develop their own voice. As the educational system emboldens free-thinking, it also allows society to repress those thoughts. African Americans role in society mirror this exact issue. Once they

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