In “Ordinary Resurrections,” author Jonathon Kozol writes of
his experiences with the neighborhood of Mott Haven. Primarily focusing on the
young students of this community, Kozol writes in an innocent tone of the daily
happenings. Unfortunately, these daily happenings are of naïve and often
accidental death. While the essay focuses on these deaths, Kozol is able to
balance this sadness with the by describing the overwhelming support that the
students provide for each other along with the support that the teacher figures
in the school provide for the students.
In the support sections of the first year outcomes- we
highlight the importance of students knowing about campus resources, which I
believe is a very important component of the support structure that CMU has
established. Knowing how to get to Health Services and what CAPS can do are
obviously both important bits of information that as RAs, we will pass along to
residents. However, I believe that Kozol is writing of a support that comes
from an even deeper position of care and learning. This support is what results
from truly understanding our resident’s needs, fears, and goals.
In order to better communicate with her students, the
principal of the school that Kozol visits speaks to her students not as an
authority but rather as a grandmother. In this way she is able to “draw on
every bit of credulity she may have earned in children’s eyes” (pg 32). I
believe that this idea is so crucial to the support that we will provide
throughout the year. Only by learning our own roles and the ways in which we
can best interact with our students will we be able to provide this level of
support. From home sickness to poor school work performance to drinking
problems- every moment of support is going to need a slightly different form of
response. Just as Miss Rosa is able to transform her own outlook and role to
match the needs of her students- we need to be able to adapt to the needs of
our residents.
Overall, Kozol does not describe any heroes or miracles but
rather the small ways in which ordinary people are able to brighten the dark
world around them. It is through patience, understanding, and truly listening
that these ordinary people are able to provide extraordinary support. It is
through these same basic traits that I know we will be able to provide
excellent support for all of our amazing residents.
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