In this class “education” has been focused on identity, class, and power. With these ideas in mind, what is the meaning or the significance of this quote by Malcolm Forbes: “
The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one? I understand Malcolm Forbes’ quote to be a representation of the ways in which education can be expanded and altered to better assimilate cultural identity. Historically, education has been plagued with countless examples of classism, discrimination, and abuse of power. Instead of education representing an institution willing to embrace ethnic ties and backgrounds, it seeks merely to promote institutional discrimination. In “Keeping Close to Home: Class and Education”, Bell Hooks examines the various way in which classism marginalizes students which results in a loss of personal and cultural identity. Further, the reading “2-205” by Reshma Baig recounts the unequal power dynamic based on race and white privilege. Additionally, “Imagine a Country” by Holly Sklar looks at unequal division of power in education. All three accounts demonstrate how education has become a type of conditioning. Education is based off of certain principles that favor certain individuals. Simply put, this is an empty way of thinking as it excludes all the various facets of humanity. Instead of education being a tool to promote equality and to break down barriers, it simply perpetuates flaws by its standardized nature. “Keeping Close to Home: Class and Education” Bell Hooks recounts her experience as an African American pursuing her education at Stanford University. Hooks’ main argument stems from the idea that her class background dictated how she was perceived at the University. She discusses the idea that “class differences were boundaries […] it was easier to downplay them, to act as though we were all from privileged backgrounds” (161). The emphasis here is the idea that class is essentially an inhibitor. In order to excel and