Talking Point #8 - Kliewer

Citizenship in School:
Reconceptualizing Down Syndrome
Christopher Kliewer

Author's Argument: Kliewer argues that students with Down Syndrome should not be separated in such as strict schools, instead they should be recognized as creative individuals who added uniqueness and values to our community.

Quotes:
1."As Freire (1993) emphasized democracy can only occur when no person's voice deterministically silenced."

I agree with this quote. How can we know other people needs if we don't give them a chance to speak up. When I read this quote I thought about Lawrence's article. How do we know that "low-ability" class will be able to demonstrate their intelligence if they don't have a chance to prove it.

2."Success in life requires an ability to form relationship with others who make up the web of community."

I think that this quote is very important because I believe that two heads think better than one. It is important to get to know other people and at the same time respect their culture and beliefs. I also believe that each of us need one another either if we like it or not. Like this quote says in order to be successful in life we must get along with others. "United We Stand."

3."Community acceptance requires opportunity for individual participation in the group, but opportunity cannot exist outside of community acceptance."

I agree with this quote. I think that everyone should be accept the way they are regardless of their conditions. Each individual should be recognized for his/her own ability. I think that once the community accept an individual the door of opportunity opens up. But I think that this is hard to accomplish because of all the taboos that exist.

Comments/Point to Share: I really enjoyed reading this article. It was easy to read and very interesting. When I finished reading this article I thought about an interview that I saw few weeks ago. The interview was about a young business girl with Down Syndrome. When she was born her mom was told that she was not going to be able to walk and talk and she would never be undependable. Her mom answer to the doctors was "We'll see." Her mom dedicated herself entirely to her daughter. The little girl started to walk when she was 2 years old and was able to talk. Her parents sent her to a regular school and she graduated from college with a bachelor in business. I am sure there are more stories like this one. It is so interesting to see how successful these people become once the community accept them.