The Contradictory Politics of Newark School Privatization
Oct 23, 2023
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Sociologist John Arena explores the privatization of public schools in Newark, New Jersey, contrasting the experiences of Mayors Cory Booker and Ras Baraka. He discusses the pro-corporate agendas implemented by black mayors in alliance with white corporate elites, the resistance faced by the superintendent, and the role of students in organizing protests. The chapter also examines the contradictory politics of Newark school privatization, focusing on Baraka's ability to push forward a privatization agenda without significant backlash and the lessons learned from the battle against corporate school reform.
The podcast discusses the contradiction in the success of Mayor Cory Booker and Mayor Ras Baraka in their efforts to privatize schools in Newark, New Jersey.
It raises the question of why Mayor Baraka, who was once a leader of a grassroots movement for local control of schools, brought in charter schools while Mayor Booker, a rising star, was unsuccessful in implementing corporate school reform.
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Public schools in cities across the U.S., cities like Newark, New Jersey, have been the targets of privatization campaigns over the last two decades. Sociologist John Arena asks why rising star and Mayor Cory Booker was unsuccessful at forcing through corporate school reform in Newark, while his rival and successor Mayor Ras Baraka — the one time leader of a grassroots movement for local control of schools — brought charters in.
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