H & S Ch 7 - Balancing the claims of some, one, and all.

I think this chapter treats the issues of the conflicts between the goals of individuals and groups in a much more down-to-earth and hands-on way than the first chapter "What Americans want from public schools" where they are topically addressed. Looking at the different groups that have fought for distinction, separation, integration, recognition, or even just acknowledgement, shows just how many different "collectives" we have, and just how different their goals can be. H & S come off quite stong in the chapter wrap-up here

"Public schools must demonstrate respect for alternative ways of seeing the world, including different evaluations of the dream itself..., but that does not require that anyone reject their faith, forget their heritage, or abandon their people" [italics mine].

The same thin line that comes up in political and cultural debates accross the coutry shows up here as well. As the chapter closes, they make clear that they do not advocate public schools supporting one group's agenda to the effect of fragmenting society, or undermining "the collective goals of the American dream" But what IS the American Dream? They just stated (quote above) that even the american dream is redefined by widely varied values in different groups. We are left chasing our tails just as the religious right define the american dream and leave gay students with no support groups, and the gay students and supporters define the american dream and have the religious fundamentalists' children exposed to "unhealthy" influences and rhetoric. In many ways the concept of everyone getting a seat at the table when some people sitting means others must stand mirrors the difficulties of effecting democratic ideals in such a diverse society. I suppose there was little the public school system could do, not to find itself drawn into the familiar tug of war.