From: tyadav@athena.mit.edu (T.Y.)
Subject: = Opportunity etc. (Re: So whats in a constitution.......?
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 22:14:36 GMT

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 hira@cme.nist.gov writes:
> [discussion on "access of education"......delete] 
>Now, the point of the story is that until busing was instituted, the 
>inner city kids did *not* have the same access to an education that 
>the suburban kids had. Not only were the facilities decrepit, but 
>the teachers were not of the same quality either. Is this clear?
>-------x----------
>Let me clarify my stmt a bit. Four walls for one who is mature enough 
>to understand the importance of an education or vocational skills is 
>one thing, but for a child that is given no oppty to learn is another.
>Not every child is as independent as you might seem to think, IMO.

 But then, not every child is as "dependent" as you might seem to think.
 My arguments are based on the premiss: 
   Children (or adults) have the potential to be independent and 
   the best way to let them be productive is to nurture, support
   and encourage independence (or self dependence in other words).

 As far as oppurtunity goes, its there - if one is willing to work for it.
 Please note that I am not saying "there is no lack of opportunity, there
 is no discrimination, there are no unnecessary hurdles.....;" After all
 we live amongst a wide variety of souls. Problems, difficulties exist.
 But they can be overcome. And the best way to overcome all that is for
 the individual to take care of hisself/herself. To think. To persevere.
 To exist. I do believe in the exceptional power of the individual to
 build his or her destiny/life/happiness. Your claim: "Not every child 
 is as independent as you might seem to think, IMO" is an assumption on
 your part, of human nature. Thats perhaps where we disagree: what is the 
 fundamental nature/ability of a human (child). 
 
>-------x---------------
> I think that one's
>experiences affect one's thinking greatly, and its important to have
>some bkgd materiel. Your story is quite impressive, and a bit enlightening
>on your attitudes. 

 I think the other way around; I believe:
   Your thoughts affect a lot of what you experience.
   A human is potentially rational being and an original thinker.
   A human chooses what he or she experiences.
 It is not important to have background material. In fact, it is better not
 to have personal details, because it tends to make many explain things
 away to circumstances/environment. I can claim, quite easily, that there
 isn't much substance/truth behind all that you say; that all you say has
 been affected by your past, your experiences;....blah blah blah
 But, IMO, your thoughts matter. And I don't write off anyone. 

 This is very important issue: "experiences affecting one's thinking..."
 Because if we admit that to be truth, then no one should complain about
 racism, prejudice, discrimination etc. etc. No one should complain because
 the racist/discriminating person is being true to experiences. Furthermore,
 lets extend this argument to reflect about following questions:
 
>Is there but one way to reason? Is there one truth?

 What is your answer then? Why?

T.Y.
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tyadav@athena.mit.edu