I thought you might find these back-to-back interviews interesting. I am wearing the same clothes because the tapings occurred only minutes apart. The other thing you might notice if you see my lectures or appearances on YouTube is that I am almost always wearing the same jacket but usually in different colors. When I find something I like, I stick with it. I will never make the list of America’s Best Dressed Women. You may notice that this is a title I do not covet. I want to be comfortable. My favorite outfit consists of jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers, but that is not appropriate for television or lectures. So ignore the outfit and listen to the conversation.
A very wise scholar of American media and politics, Stephen Hess of the Brookings Institution, once told me an axiom that I have cherished for 25 years: “On radio, no one knows what you wore, on television no one knows what you said.” I don’t know if that is true but I admit that it is irksome when someone says after a TV appearance: “I can’t believe you wore those shoes” or “your lipstick was not the right color” or “not that jacket again!”
Proving Steve Hess was right.
So here is my interview with the great Errol Louis. We talked about the book and also the implications of the recent mayoral election for education in New York City.
And this interview with veteran New York Times writer Sam Roberts was interesting for a different reason, having nothing to do with my green jacket. Sam, whom I respect for his wisdom and experience, had in his hand a not-yet-available copy of New York Times Book Review containing the review of my book. Not even my editor had seen it. I had no idea who would be assigned to review the book. I hoped for the best and expected the worst. When Sam told me on air that the book was reviewed by Jonathan Kozol. I almost fell off my chair. I haven’t watched the interview yet, I hardly ever do (I don’t want to start critiquing my hair, my posture, my lipstick, etc.), but I want to see this one to see the look on my face. I know how I was feeling.(Wow! Wow! Just wow!)
Diane Ravitch's blog 
For me a time warner cable account pops up to sign in and watch. Is there another link?
Yeah, me too. I don’t want a Time Warner account, though.
Nice jacket.
Same here.
LOL! Diane… another thing I appreciate about you… and something I feel that I have in common with you… jeans, t-shirt, & sneakers… YES, I’m all about comfort as well… if there really were fashion police, I would’ve been imprisoned years ago. Having seen you on youtube a number of times, I’m QUITE aware of your message… and could care less about what you’re wearing. You are a woman of substance… the packaging matters little to those who appreciate substance.
I like the jacket.
Diane, we love you not matter how you dress.
We don’t care what you wear.
We care what you say.
Intellect, not clothes, make the woman . . . .
As I sit here in my jeans, T-shirt, and sneakers, I am admiring your green jacket since I can’t do anything else. Time -Warner wants me to sign in, too. I don’t even think they service my area, but they still want my address and email so they can annoy me with unwanted ads.
I was able to see it–excellent interview! I have been reading your blog for the last few months and I felt as if I was watching an old friend😊
I for one am glad you are not wearing one of those way too short shift sleeveless things eee gads. There may be those who could use some fashion advice-you are not among them.
I looked all over, including on YouTube, but couldn’t find these interviews, just a lot of old ones, with Diane in the other colors she has her green jacket in –blue, red and black, I believe.
Maybe a New Yorker with Time/Warner cable can post these interviews on YouTube?
I can’t view it either. Here is what i would need to provide in order to view it:
Before you begin, click here to view information you will need to register.
ZIP Code and phone number of your service address
Account Number and Customer Code as shown on your TWC bill
If you are not registering at home (from behind your TWC modem) you’ll need to provide a piece of personal information that you have shared with Time Warner Cable in the past:
Last 4 digits of credit card number
Last 4 digits of bank account number
Last 4 digits of Social Security Number
Last 4 digits of Driver’s license number
Date of birth
Your account PIN (different from your customer code)
Amount of last TWC bill payment
To start, please enter a valid email address you would like to associate with your account. As a security measure, a valid email address is required to initiate the registration process. After entering your email address, instructions to complete the registration process will be emailed to you. You will have 72 hours to complete your registration or you will be asked to repeat the registration process This will be the email address we will use to send you account-related information and any newsletters you choose.
Diane, the second interview is link to 9/14 it should be http://www.ny1.com/content/shows/the_new_york_times_close_up/189473/ny1-online–the-new-york-times-close-up-09-21-13
Thank you, I really enjoyed the interviews AND your book!
Tim,
The links can only be opened by Time Warner cable subscribers, unfortunately.
I read the review by Jonathon Kozol yesterday. Wonderful! I made hard copies to share with LWV members and others who are working to share the good things happening in the public schools in Guilford County,NC . I was a County Commisioner and School Board member for many years. I was with Author Kozol several times at national meetings. He encouraged me so when we were struggling to get the three school systems in our county merged into a county-wide system so that we could fund the poorer schools more equitably. We did accomplish that, but sadly after the city systems were declared unitary and the empetus for diversity waned, we now have numerous high poverty, minority populated schools. The only good side of things is that the board is still actively committed to equitable funding and the Supt. is a tremendous person –an African American Duke University graduate and Duke Law School graduate who left a lucrative law practice to become a Supt.. In his words and his actions, he “reveres teachers.” He is admired and supported by parents, teachers,business community and citizens at large.
THANKS for all you’re doing to” hold public education in the light.” I am vice-chair of PSFNC, working with Yevonne Brannon, Natalie Beyer and others to keep public schools in N C strong, despite the bad time we’ve had lately. Dot Kearns
How does one see the videos without Time Warner service? The above link took me again to TWC.
Sorry about that. I will ask Time Warner if they can give me a link that can be opened by non-subscribers.
Thanks. Meanwhile, I’m polling my relatives for a subscriber with an access log on.
I just read the review as well by Jonathan Kozol – amazing! He summed it up perfectly and drew the battle lines. The battle is on. It is the educators and academics (thinkers) and enlightened parents on one side, and the government, the billionaires, corporations and profiteers of both parties on the other side. This is a battle between “knowledge and logic” versus “money.” We don’t have money to match these nefarious forces, but we do have the “truth.” We teachers, although relatively powerless, will continue to fight the forces of destruction for the sake of the students. We experienced teachers know what is best for students: smaller class sizes, a veteran, professional teaching force (not a temp force), psychological services, adequate buildings, mentoring between teachers, etc. I hope that we win this battle. If teachers, and academics lose this battle, then public schooling in America will be destroyed, maybe forever. This is a serious turning point in American history. We are fighting for the future of our young people. Are our young people simply statistics and objects to use for profit and control? I do believe (hope) that people are starting to wake up to this growing nightmare. Good for you, Dr. Ravitch! That was quite an endorsement by a legendary thinker. No matter how this ends up, you will go down on the right side of history.
I was able to view both interviews and don’t have a time Warner account. I viewed them with my iPad. I simply clicked the link Diane posted. Odd!
It must be signed onto Time Warner’s internet service already. My iPad doesn’t open it.
Anyone find a transcript???
I, too, want to see Diane’s face when she learns Jonathan Kozol was assigned to review it for the NY Times. A transcript would do, I guess.
It’s like having a present you can’t open, though.
I have asked NY 1 if they can give me a link that does not require a subscription.
Too bad you have to be a Time Warner cable subscriber to see the interview.
Trying to get permission to have open links.