Quotes in Literacy with an Attitude by Patrick J. Finn

Quotes in Literacy with an Attitude by Patrick J. Finn

Hannah Kennedy | FNED546 

Link to buy the book: Literacy With an Attitude

1. “First, there is empowering education, which leads to powerful literacy, the kind of literacy that leads to positions of power and authority. Second, there is domesticating education, which leads to functional literacy, literacy that makes a person productive and dependable, but not troublesome.”
• I really like this quote because it divides the education into two types, empowering education and domestic education, empowering education and domesticating education. Empowering education is when students are given the tools to gain influence and power in the world. On the other hand, domesticating education is when students are given the tools to be obedient workers who don’t question authority. This goes hand in hand with Finn's beliefs about the education system. Finn believes that the education system creates more division between social classes, as he believes that wealthy people receive education that fosters leadership and control rather than the domesticated education that lower classes receive.
2. “We don’t worry about a literate working class because the kind of literacy they get doesn’t make them dangerous.”
• This quote emphasizes the point I made in my previous explanation, that education prioritizes the wealthy class while disadvantaging the lower classes. According the Finn, the lower class is ignored because the education system doesn’t want them to excel in the same way they want the higher classes to excel. The higher class is given more opportunities and more tools to succeed, which makes them more successful. On the other hand, the lower classes are not given those same tools, which causes this division to continue in social classes. This quote highlights the inequality in the education system and how education can be used as a system of control. This upsets me because the education system should be supporting everyone equally, and shouldn’t be viewing people by their social class. As a teacher, I want to make sure I am aware of this.
3. “Teachers who see themselves as allies of their working-class students can help their students see that literacy and school knowledge could be potent weapons in their struggle for a better deal.”
• I absolutely loved this quote because I feel like, as a future teacher, I really want to make a difference and change this cycle. This quote from Finn tells us that he believes that teachers are the ones who can change this cycle. Finn believes that if teachers challenge students with educational literacy and teach them to advocate for themselves instead of just teaching them how to read and write, we can encourage them to make a difference for themselves and those around them. I also like the school because it goes along with Finn’s idea that education should be used as a tool for change rather than just a place that perpetuates power structures. Overall, this quote makes me realize how big of a role teachers have in not only the education system, but in their students’ lives. I hope as a teacher, I can help foster a more equitable and equal educational society.

Great article for further reading on how to practice literacy attitude at home:   https://markhampubliclibrary.ca/blogs/post/loveliteracy/