As the momentum regarding
human rights is currently strong in America, and much is being shaken by
intolerance and bigotry, the symbolism of the confederate flag remains a heated
discussion. In the midst of radical changes in laws, the very framework of the
American society is being recreated under the first African American President
of the United States. The policies of President Barack Obama will undoubtedly change American history. Because of racism, and
class-ism, inequitable policies have permeated and dominated American
society. However, on the strength of recent changes for human rights in
America, I wish to advocate for equitable education for all Americans. Barriers of social justice obviously extend beyond one’s social-economic status, and
race; as education is undoubtedly the great divider among many Americans as many poorer districts and schools function on low budgets and limited funding while proving the absence of social justice.
The responsibility of funding
American schools are largely in the hands of the states; however, the federal
government also provides assistance to the states. The ESEA act authorizes
grants for children in low-income families, for instructional materials and
library resources. Tax payer's investment in education is a significant part of
K-12 school funding and the contribution is said to even exceed the monies for national defense.
But 83 cents of every dollar is said to come from the state and the local
levels. The federal government’s share is 8.3 percent. K-12 are funded by
federal government through NCLB, Title 1, ELA, Reading First, Improving teacher
Quality Grants, and other NCLB grants which support charter schools, strengthen
high schools, & support the after-school learning programs for American
Indians, Alaska Natives, and migrant students (U.S.ed.gov).
Social justice has remained a
problem in America, from matters of the civil rights act of 1964, rights
for voting in 1965, housing laws of 1968, and the Alexander v. Holmes County Board
of Education of 1969; which ended the racially segregated schools systems of
the south (Hanks, 2009). Although the blatant racist practices previously existed toward African
Americans, the present day has had challenges of white privilege, more abstract
treatments, and institutionalized practices, as these had to be proven over time and are now being exposed. According to Lawrence, 2009, institutionalized racism refers to
practices or patterns seemingly neutral but having a different kind of
negativity for opportunities toward people with color. During this present era, hundreds of whites are acknowledging their white privilege, as many are also
contesting and protesting against the injustices and treatment of blacks who have endured unjust arrests and abuses simply because of their race. The U.S Census shows that 19 million black
men under 35 years of age exist in the U.S.. The ratio of black males in prison is
approximately 10 percent. People of color make up 30 percent of the population
in the United states but make up 60 percent of the imprisoned. Comparisons are
outlandish as while 1 of 15 imprisoned are African American men, 1 of 36 are Hispanic
men, and 1 of 106 are white men (Kerby, 2012).
As the institutionalized
racism is uncovered and despised by many, one cannot ignore the cities of the
U.S., as they are dominated by minorities. Consequently, school districts in the
cities have suffered, as policies and reforms have not been able to penetrate
the walls of racism. One cannot assume that the failing schools are simply
because the students are inferior to their suburban counterparts. As, the right
to have fully funded schools regardless of one’s race and socio-economic status
remains a major problem in many cities of the U.S. Even the School District Philadelphia still
has a significant shortfall, as school funding has suffered due to the cuts in public educational funding of 1
billion dollars. Because Philadelphia is now run by
a School Reform Commission (SRC) who were appointed by Governor Corbett, the
concept of public education , where community level decisions occur under a
locally elected school board, or the direct participation of citizens
(Resnick, 2006) is no longer a reality for Philadelphia.
The issues of social justice
and racial privilege are finally being acknowledged and we can be hopeful that the United States will live up to its great name as change is
occurring. People are beginning to recognize and fight against matters of racial profiling and social injustices. As we are one people and one nation, when one
group suffers while another flourishes only because of racial privilege, then the people lose. A nation must recognize that our differences provide benefits of interdependence
among multi-cultures and races within society. Racial privilege or social
justice? I vote for social justice.
References
Lawrence, H. J. (2009). The Obama
presidency and the question of social justice: a critical analysis of the
meaningful milestone. Forum on Public Policy Online. 1(16)
Spelling, M. (2005). 10 facts about K-12
funding. U.S. Department of Education.
http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/fed/10facts/index.html?e
