Why I'm Becoming a Marxist

Abstract

For too long I had been hearing and reading that schools were failing. Books abounded that told me how these terrible places stunted children (and teachers) and robbed them of their potential and creativity. I was left with an empty feeling of sadness or depression. Friends of mine became so angered by the situation in public education that they began free schools—places where their children could grow up and become what they were meant to be (doctors, lawyers, teachers, social workers). These free schools, too, however, began to be criticized—for their class bias and elite populations. And the litany of criticism went on and on. As a teacher I read them all—always feeling a sense of frustration and guilt.This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.