Journal 4


In chapter 11 of Ordinary Resurrections, Kozol addresses the idea that children in Molt Haven are looked at as products or stats, not people. Throughout the chapter, Kozol mentions that counsels and the government really do not care about the individual health or well being of the children in Molt Haven. They look at these children almost as figures on pieces of paper; especially when Kozol writes, "Policy discussions seem to view them less as children who have fingers, elbows, stomach aches, emotions, than as 'economic units' - pint-sized deficits or assets in blue jeans and jerseys..." (Kozol 137). Here, Kozol addresses that political figures tend to view the bigger picture of situations, similar to the one in Molt Haven; thus, they look at the children as statistics or a number in the population. Furthermore, they have no personal connection like Kozol has with Elio for example, so they tend not to have compassion for them.

Too further support the political standpoint on children, Kozol writes about how board or counsel members lack debates and talks of children in the area, when the topic is a substantial one. During meetings, children are not even remarked as children, but yet mentioned as cohort groups, or standard variations, as Kozol puts it. Likewise, the health of the children is disregarded in theses meetings; especially when they discussed the environment of the area. The perspectives of these political and counsel members make the children of Molt Haven seem as if they have no personality or a life. They care more about their own agenda, rather then the well being of those who actually live in the area of discussion. Furthermore, many people of high authority choose not to help or impact the children or citizens of Molt Haven positively, but rather choose to ignore them completely.