Class Reflection - Chuks

Our presenter, Mr. Bud Larievy, demonstrated a clear passion for equal access of education and a commitment to social justice which resonated deeply with me. His fiery rhetoric not only reminded me of why I am here at the Lynch School of Education, but also humbled me, forcing me to realize that the road ahead will not be easy; particularly when working within a system that is influenced by greed, politics, and capital interests (all synonyms, in my opinion).

Prior to this class period, in fact, prior to coming to Boston College, I was aware that a major reason why our school system is broken had to do with its archaic laws and the politics involved. However, I am now learning about the sheer extent of this matter and it truly saddens me. I was also saddened yet impressed at the fact that many schools in other countries encourage multilingualism, often making this a prerequisite for graduation and college admittance. At such a young age, little Durrell is already fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese. However, at almost 24 years old, I am essentially limited to just English, forced to depend on outside resources like Rosetta Stone if I wish that to change. I used to think of myself as a very cultured individual. But after watching Speaking In Tongues, that perception of myself went directly into the trash can. Painful realizations like this make me wonder exactly why I pledge allegiance to this "great land of opportunity" because when all is said and done, I am NOT free - free to think with an open mind in all realms of society or free to expand my horizons.