The Sad Truth About Racial Inequity In Schools

If there should be an issue that should be over already; racial inequities found in school today is the one. It has been one of the most delicate issues that have not been given solutions until today. Especially when we are talking about racial inequities in schools today, it would be, somewhat, a traumatizing event for the young generation, specifically those who are still very young.

African Americans and Hispanics are usually the people who feel the brunt racial inequities. As a culture, America still regards minorities as those in need of help. Instead of treating minorities as equals, they are treated differently. While some may see the special treatment as an advantage, it actually hinders their progress. How can you expect someone to compete in a world that does not forgive, if you were treated differently from day one?

Sadly, the American educational system is one of the things that are not offered in equal entities. The way students are taught is basically set on what race you are or what social status you are in. Supervisor track students by reduced or free lunch percentages. How can children have a good foundation in the future? Of course, people know that education is very important for someone to have a sturdy and strong foundation. How can you receive an equal education if your pushed into a fixed peer group because of your income or race?

Racial inequities found in schools today are still evident that is why there is what the government put out as the so-called affirmative action. The purpose of this executive order is to promote equality among all races. Still, even if this executive order was already released, minorities are still being discriminated against.

When you look at the economics behind it, racial minority groups are almost six times as likely to be classified as working poor, than their white counterparts. If you are classified as working poor, that doesn't mean you're lazy or unmotivated. It most likely means that you never received a quality education that would allow you to take the higher paying jobs. It also means that you don't have the time or resources to support your own children through school. This is where it becomes a cyclical process; almost never ending.

One of the never ending, completely unwarranted, stereotypes of minorities is that they are lazy and simply don't want to succeed. This could not be further from the truth. As child you learn to do mostly from your family. If your family is not education and have never really seen the value of education; why would you? This is where successful people need to step in and mentor children. Show them what is possible with a little hard work. Why work at a business, when you can own the business?

As a society that claims itself to be the "Land of the Free", we have a long way to go. We need to work together rather than work against one another. How do we break these walls down? It all starts with what we do on a daily basis.

The education that minorities are experiencing is a significant factor for why they are still receiving a minimum number of resources as compared to Whites. The schools where the students are mostly minorities seem to flounder due to local funding. Urban areas experience a much lower budget focused towards student education. Their laboratories do not have the equipment that they need to explore laboratory slides, some schools even want to offer to teach the children how to use the computer but they do not receive any funding for them to purchase a computer and be able to teach the children in the urban setting.

The education system presented in America today should be an eye-opener for everyone. Whether it be in school or in employment opportunities, it is best for every one to be treated equally.

Educational Literature on Racial Equity Issues

  1. Affirmative Rhetoric, Negative Action- ERIC Document
  2. The Changing Face of Racial Isolation and Desegregation in Urban Schools- ERIC Document
  3. Hispanic Education in America: Separate and Unequal- ERIC Document
  4. Helping Minority Students Graduate from College- ERIC Document
  5. Implementing an Anti-Bias Curriculum in Early Childhood Classrooms- ERIC Document
  6. Improving Ethnic and Racial Relations in the Schools- ERIC Document
  7. Recent Changes in School Desegregation- ERIC Document
  8. Rural African Americans and Education: The Legacy of the Brown Decision- ERIC Document
  9. Sociodemographic Changes: Promise and Problems for Rural Education- ERIC Document
  10. The Impact of Vocational Education on Racial and Ethnic Minorities- ERIC Document
  11. The Influence of Race and Ethnicity on Access to Postsecondary Education- ERIC Document.