Fear Quote by Jonathan Kozol
““What may be learned from the rebuttals made by the defendants in New Jersey and from the protests that were sparked by the decision of the court? Much of the resistance, it appears, derives from a conservative anxiety that equity equates to "leveling." The fear that comes across in many of the letters and the editorials in the New Jersey press is that democratizing opportunity will undermine diversity and even elegance in our society and that the best schools will be dragged down to a sullen norm, a mediocre middle ground of uniformity. References to Eastern European socialism keep appearing in these letters.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture on Education Equity, New Jersey, 1990
The quote critiques the backlash against equity policies, fearing they will lower standards and erode diversity, while equating equity with uniformity and socialism.
In simple terms: People fear equity will make everything the same and lower quality.
Key Takeaway
Address misconceptions about equity and promote inclusive excellence.
Themes
education
equity
diversity
politics
social anxiety
Mood
concerned
defensive
critical
Type
analytical
persuasive
When to use this quote
- school board meetings
- policy debates
- community forums
- media commentary
Key Concepts
social justice
public policy
cultural perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How can equity be pursued without sacrificing excellence?
- What evidence counters the “leveling” fear?
A Different Perspective
The argument may oversimplify concerns and ignore legitimate resource constraints.
