We can both agree that not all white people are racist. But this type of discrimination has been going on in White America for decades and across generations, hence systemic. In this generation, racism will meet its end.
Even if the years-old problem of systemic racism continues to persist today, more and more Americans are now strong enough to resist. Recent nationwide uprisings against police brutality against black people and racial inequality have sparked conversations that bring the issue to light. “RACISM IN WHITE AMERICA” by DeHaven Jacque Alexander is one of those. If you’re looking for a book recommendation about white privilege, this is the one. Get a copy online for your convenience.
Unveiling the Systemic Racism in Education
Racism is like an octopus with tentacles reaching different sectors of White American society. This type of oppression has crept into the corporate totem pole and public service—now it’s crept into our education system? When we talk about systemic racism in education, we’re referring to education-related systems and principles that accept unfair treatment of underrepresented people.
Looking Back
Systemic oppression toward Black Americans and other marginalized members of the community in White America has already existed hundreds of years ago. This centuries-old discrimination later formed separate school systems where schools for Black Americans received less funding than schools with predominantly white students. In 1940, the U.S. Census Bureau recorded only 7% of Black Americans who earned a high school degree.
Racial Inequality in Education: Examples
How did the racist U.S. education system treat Black American students? In truth, it’s not only students who are affected by the systemic racism in U.S. education; it’s also teachers and other school members who are Black and Brown. Let’s delve into the details:
1. Unequal Finding
Remember, public school funding comes from property taxes. That’s why schools in wealthier neighborhoods are funded better than schools in poorer areas. Since there’s only 3% of wealth in the U.S. comes from Black and Latino households, schools for these communities often lack funding.
2. Disproportionate Disciplinary Actions
Systemic racism in education resulted in unfair disciplinary actions among underrepresented communities, especially Black students. According to a study from the American Psychological Association, 26% of Black students were suspended for minor infractions, while only 2% came from white students who committed similar offenses. This is rooted in the zero-tolerance policies implemented in U.S. public schools.
3. Limited Curricula
Learning experiences should be as diverse as the population they serve. Although teaching strategies and materials are now becoming more diverse, significant disparities still persist. There’s data from book publishers, Lee & Low, revealing that only 13% of children’s books depicted diverse content more than 2 decades back. Aside from disparities in children’s books, U.S. history textbooks also depict mostly white, European Americans, at above 80%. In other words, systemic racism in education resulted in only 1% representation for other racial groups.
Alarmingly, there’s resegregation in America’s schools.
The Existence of White Privilege in U.S. Education
Yes, white privilege is real in many areas of U.S. society, especially in education. Documented or not, white students in U.S. schools do receive unearned advantages. This is how systemic racism in education seeped into educational structures that favor the race of white students. Rooted in historical and ongoing disparities, white privilege continues to influence access to resources and treatment in schools.
“…an invisible package of unearned assets that [whites] can count on cashing in each day, but about which [they are] ‘meant’ to remain oblivious…”
Peggy McIntosh (1988)
The mere fact that you don’t feel, understand, or witness racism can already be considered white privilege. In Peggy McIntosh’s article, “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” we discover examples of white privilege in U.S. education. Things like the dominant representation of white people in curricula, freedom stereotypes, and more access to resources compared to students from underrepresented communities are revealed.
We Are the Generation Who Can End Racism
We plead the authority for comprehensive policy reform and systemic racism in education once and for all. To the government: Do your thing to allocate equitable funds to schools in marginalized communities. Policies must enforce unbiased admissions and practice inclusive curricula.
The future will thank us for our actions today. Let history judge.