The Country That Stopped Reading

The Country That Stopped Reading

Should countries like Mexico solve its literacy problem? In his article, “The Country That Stopped Reading,” David Toscana states his refutation against the education system in Mexican schools.The author caught his audience’s attention with his title and announced that, “Despite recent gains in industrial development and increasing numbers of engineering graduates, Mexico is floundering socially, politically and economically because so many of its citizens do not read.” Indeed, due to the globalization, Mexico developed his industrialization areas. Instead, the country is still below the others countries because of its illiteracy rate. In fact, Toscana noticed that in today’s life, more children attend school in Mexico than ever before, however they seem to learn nothing there.  

  I strongly agreed with the author’s opinion that Mexican schools became factories that massively produce "chauffeurs, waiters and dishwashers," instead of intellectual people. I think that the Mexicans should solve the country’s literacy problem by confront the government and also the population who do not want change. The government of Mexico also should change their strategies. For instance, even if the new president Enrique Pena Nieto's strategy was to send the education secretary Elba Esther Gordillo in jail because she stole about $200 million, nothing positive happen faced to the Mexico’s system education. Mexico may anticipate real change of strategy face to this literacy problem. They should lead reading camps to boost people read more and train the teacher to several new methods of education. Indeed, the Literacy Boost solution in “A Boost for the World’s Poorest Schools,” could work in Mexico.

RAY CHARLES MOVIE

RAY CHARLES

The movie I watched was “Ray,” directed by Taylor Hackford. The actor Jamie Foxx played the main character Ray Charles Robinson.

The story takes place between 1930s and 1970s. It talks about Ray, a blind musician who has to deal with his drug addiction, physical condition and his regret about his brother’s death. This movie reminded me of Sonny’s blues, who also fought his addiction to heroin and use his music as a way to express his pains and sorrow.

            Ray grew up in northern Florida. He lived with his mother in a very poor neighborhood. He witnessed his own brother death when he was seven and became blind nine months later due to an illness. Even blind, Ray learned how to play piano and became a successful musician. Ray played several kind of music such as Jazz, R&B, Gospel and country. He used his music to express his feelings and sorrow. He was a drug addicted and had many affairs while married to Della (Bea). I really loved his mother’s advice: Never let nobody turn you into no cripple, you are blind, it does not mean you are stupid”. My parents told me to be strong and courageous no matter what will happen to me. Some people outside are cruel and we all have to deal with and made our way by survived.

            The scene I like from the story was when Ray refused to perform in Georgia and went back to his bus, because someone had to stop the segregation and discrimination against the black population in this state. He listened to the young man and decided to no play anymore.The consequence was terrible because Ray had been banned, he could not perform in Georgia until 1971. I believed Ray touched all Americans by this act. He made a significant action and the American culture. Also, He received a public apology in Georgia and an authorization to go back and play his music.

I may connect this movie with the theme: “The difficult circumstances of black men in America (drugs, poverty, discrimination…)” because the movie illustrated many stories about segregation against black American people, such as the situation in Georgia. Also, Ray was from a very poor city when he was young. his desires were to become famous and rich. He was addicted to heroin, which allowed him to play well and forget about his brother's death.

Journal Assignment One

Jazz Is the Sound of God Laughing

In the essay “Jazz Is the Sound of God Laughing”, Collen Shaddox share her opinion about the jazz music and his benefits.

This story reminded me “Sonny’s blues” by James Baldwin, studied in class.

Colleen Shaddox also talks about the Jazz music and the way people use it to express their sadness and pain. She believed that “Jazz is the sound of God laughing”

Because the music is calmness and help feel happier: “Even the Jazz songs that take you to despair lift you”. The songs help people to have faith and strengths.

The author loved listening to her uncle play jazz piano. Moreover, her son Charlie was used to it. This music united her relatives when they faced difficulties.

             I admired her fight against the cancer, and also the way that jazz help her to have faith. In my opinion, this is a true story because the author talks about her own experience and stories when talking about her cancer, relatives and favorite songs (Oscar Peterson songs).

            I really liked the quote: “In jazz, anybody can sit in. It’s dogma-free, which allows the music to take more than its share of detours. This forces you to have faith. Faith that if you keep moving forward, you’ll get there”

I believe Jazz is for everyone. It talks about difficulties and pain in people’s lives.

Listen to Those songs give faith, encouragement, comfort and strengths; everything needed to help people succeed.