Schools today are more segregated than many might think. I for one, learned a great deal about our education system and how schools have yet to earn the title of being fully "integrated" from this module.
When the question comes up if our schools are as segregated as they were in the past, my immediate response was, of course not. However, as I began to research, uncover and educate myself I began to realize we are actually in the same boat and its sinking. Though the Civil Rights Act of 1964 legally prohibited racial discrimination, this doesn't mean we don't still see this take place day to day.
Red lining separated whites neighborhoods from black and Latinos neighborhoods. Black and Latino families were not allowed loans, benefits and could not cross over to the white neighborhoods simply because of the color of their skin. Therefore, as one side grew and prospered, the other struggled and fought. This carries on into todays world and we still see the repercussions of it.
In schools, we see teachers separate students for a "variety of reasons" and this causes questions to come up. Students have yet to become fully integrated into schools due the continued segregation, myths and constructs that have continued to circulate. In order for schools to become fully integrated, we must look past one another's differences and offer the same education opportunities for everyone. Every student deserves the respect and the time to be heard and seen in schools. They deserved to be seen and heard not only from the teachers and the school but also from their peers, which is why it is important for teachers to have a philosophy in class that is grounded upon respect and unity. Without this, success for every student will be missed.
