Community Service and Higher Learning: Explorations of the Caring Self

Rating:
Summary: Excellent reminder of the need for caring in today's society
Review: A majority of us have all heard or are familiar with the well-versed cliche, "change is a good thing." Certainly this statement holds merit in varied scenarios such as changing one's wardrobe, profession, household or the like. But, let us extend the parameters beyond the personal, individualistic realm of the person, and bring forth a bird's-eye-view of the macroscopic world which we inhabit-- namely society. Hence, with this in mind, the remaining components of this essay shall limelight the main ingredient which is absent in much of today's materialistic culture-- the ideal, the moral of caring. Step into the time machine, and allow the invention to transport us back to the 1950s, an epoch of jukeboxes, soda machines and rock and roll. The hearts and souls of most Americans at that time was filled with the proud accomplishment of having won the Second World War, and a general sense of patriotism filled the American psyche. Along this vein of thought, the 1950s was also posed as a period where the attribute of caring for another was a top priority, neighbors were well-versed with each others' names, faces and colleagues congregated around an apple pie or background barbecue was not uncommon. Now, contrast that to the world of today. In this scenario, the change does not herald a warm metamorphosis. Now enter into the realm of the 1990s, a society which is filled and brimming with the flipside of the 1950s: hatred, suspicion and isolation of one man from the other. Clearly, a stark contrast exists, and a rallying cry for restoration of a more heedful and conscientious society is put forth via the pen of Professor Robert A. Rhoads, specializing in the Department of Education at Michigan State University. Within the pages of his distinguished novel, "Community Service and Higher Learning," Rhoads (and I personally enjoyed these) commenced each chapter with anecdotal snippets of his youth, in which he described the agony and humility of his tortured youth, as he and his family struggled to make do with their meager subsistence. Despite the overwhelming odd of extreme poverty, Rhoads, through the sheer tenacity of his spirit, rose the socio-economic ladder to success and reflecting upon his tormented childhood years, built the basis for the foundation of his literary piece. Within the pages of his text, Rhoads injects the experiences of other individuals (mainly college students)in the quest for community service and caring, delivering case studies and personal interviews to enhance the reality and scope of these volunteer efforts. In complement, Rhoads also carries to the forefront a varied array of concepts and ideals which he holds true to his re-establishment of an ethic of caring in today's merciless society. Thus, in many aspects, Rhoads strikes a cord of reminiscience toward an ancient Chinese belief, one which has been implemented into me by my mother: the philosophy lies in the lilly plant. As any botanist will defend, a lilly plant begins its life deep in the mud at the bottom of a pond, a solitary seed buried within the dark confines of a rather inhospitable and unfavorable habitat for growth. Despite these harsh conditions, the lilly plant is able to survive, extending its long stem, eventually breaking the sticky layer of mud, and emerging into the dark water. As the plant continues to develop, it eventually breaks the surface of the pond, reaching its broad head into the wide expanse of air, inhaling the freedom it had thirsted for for such a long period of time. Similarly, Professor Rhoads has accomplished a similar goal breaking free from the bonds of poverty which fettered him, and held the determination to succeed against all odds. Thus, his childhood memoirs are a double-edged sword-- painful but which have molded him into the individual he is today-- for like the ancient Phoenix, Professor Rhoads arose from the ashes of his traumatic childhood memoirs and metamorphosed into an individual of great apathetic capability and a genuine core which defines, exemplifies, and places a face to the definitions of excellence, courage and tenacity of spirit and soul.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: A majority of us have all heard or are familiar with the well-versed cliche, "change is a good thing." Certainly this statement holds merit in varied scenarios such as changing one's wardrobe, profession, household or the like. But, let us extend the parameters beyond the personal, individualistic realm of the person, and bring forth a bird's-eye-view of the macroscopic world which we inhabit-- namely society. Hence, with this in mind, the remaining components of this essay shall limelight the main ingredient which is absent in much of today's materialistic culture-- the ideal, the moral of caring. Step into the time machine, and allow the invention to transport us back to the 1950s, an epoch of jukeboxes, soda machines and rock and roll. The hearts and souls of most Americans at that time was filled with the proud accomplishment of having won the Second World War, and a general sense of patriotism filled the American psyche. Along this vein of thought, the 1950s was also posed as a period where the attribute of caring for another was a top priority, neighbors were well-versed with each others' names, faces and colleagues congregated around an apple pie or background barbecue was not uncommon. Now, contrast that to the world of today. In this scenario, the change does not herald a warm metamorphosis. Now enter into the realm of the 1990s, a society which is filled and brimming with the flipside of the 1950s: hatred, suspicion and isolation of one man from the other. Clearly, a stark contrast exists, and a rallying cry for restoration of a more heedful and conscientious society is put forth via the pen of Professor Robert A. Rhoads, specializing in the Department of Education at Michigan State University. Within the pages of his distinguished novel, "Community Service and Higher Learning," Rhoads (and I personally enjoyed these) commenced each chapter with anecdotal snippets of his youth, in which he described the agony and humility of his tortured youth, as he and his family struggled to make do with their meager subsistence. Despite the overwhelming odd of extreme poverty, Rhoads, through the sheer tenacity of his spirit, rose the socio-economic ladder to success and reflecting upon his tormented childhood years, built the basis for the foundation of his literary piece. Within the pages of his text, Rhoads injects the experiences of other individuals (mainly college students)in the quest for community service and caring, delivering case studies and personal interviews to enhance the reality and scope of these volunteer efforts. In complement, Rhoads also carries to the forefront a varied array of concepts and ideals which he holds true to his re-establishment of an ethic of caring in today's merciless society. Thus, in many aspects, Rhoads strikes a cord of reminiscience toward an ancient Chinese belief, one which has been implemented into me by my mother: the philosophy lies in the lilly plant. As any botanist will defend, a lilly plant begins its life deep in the mud at the bottom of a pond, a solitary seed buried within the dark confines of a rather inhospitable and unfavorable habitat for growth. Despite these harsh conditions, the lilly plant is able to survive, extending its long stem, eventually breaking the sticky layer of mud, and emerging into the dark water. As the plant continues to develop, it eventually breaks the surface of the pond, reaching its broad head into the wide expanse of air, inhaling the freedom it had thirsted for for such a long period of time. Similarly, Professor Rhoads has accomplished a similar goal breaking free from the bonds of poverty which fettered him, and held the determination to succeed against all odds. Thus, his childhood memoirs are a double-edged sword-- painful but which have molded him into the individual he is today-- for like the ancient Phoenix, Professor Rhoads arose from the ashes of his traumatic childhood memoirs and metamorphosed into an individual of great apathetic capability and a genuine core which defines, exemplifies, and places a face to the definitions of excellence, courage and tenacity of spirit and soul.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: This is a fantastic book from a master of qualitative research. In addition to the important substance of the book, Rhoads' skillful writing style adds to the value of the content, particluarly in the way he weaves his personal story and relationship to the to subject into the text.