I don't want poor black kids to learn to read so that we can better compete with China

Very good points from a friend:

I love the Bloomberg editorial, but it always amazes me how much attention is put on education as a means to our country maintaining "our competitive edge".  To me, this reason should be a footnote compared to the main theme of giving each individual child the opportunity to learn and achieve to their full potential.  Putting the national competitiveness issue front and center often seems demeaning to the dignity and worth of the people getting most screwed by our system.  Personally, I don't want poor black kids to learn to read so that we can better compete with China.  I am guessing their parents feel the same way.