A Brighter Future for People of Color
REFLECTING ON BLACK HISTORY WHILE WORKING TOWARD A BRIGHTER FUTURE
By Rashad Turner
Another Black History Month has come and gone, but the continued education and awareness around historical events and issues that impact the Black community should never stop. It’s a year-long engagement my friends, and there is still much more to learn. I’ve been doing quite a bit of reflecting, and it strikes me that Black students are no better off today than fifty years ago.
Many will argue that the Civil Rights Movement made everything better for Black people, and we should just be happy with the progress that’s been made. But the reality is that in several ways, society has moved backward in the area of racial equality. I would even dare say things are worse. “But how in the world could things be worse now than before the Civil Rights Movement?” you might ask. Let me elaborate.
Lack of Education Perpetuates Oppression
The key to a brighter future is quality education. There is no other path to success and well-being. A person’s life trajectory hinges on the knowledge they possess and the intellect they carry with them in any room, among any group of people and in any real-life situation. While schools are no longer segregated, racial inequality in our education system is causing Black children to fall farther behind. They say ignorance is bliss, but really, ignorance is fatal.
The inability of our school system to set Black students up for success is causing many of these young, bright minds to slip through the cracks and succumb to unhealthy and even dangerous lifestyles. And the less educated these students are, the easier they can be manipulated and held down by discrimination as they grow older. The lack of a quality education keeps them oppressed.
Why Things Are Worse Now Than in the Past
Fewer Black Educators
Many are familiar with the famous Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954 that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. What many don’t realize is that an unintended consequence of that ruling was the "dismissal, demotion, or forced resignation" of Black educators. As white superintendents began working to integrate schools, they didn’t want Black people to have authority over white teachers or students, and as a result, tens of thousands of Black teachers and principals immediately lost their jobs. Black students were then forced to contend with white teachers who couldn’t relate to their life struggles at all and worse, carried their prejudiced attitudes into the classroom. Brown v. Board of Education may have brought Black and white students together in the classroom, but the new ruling essentially dismantled the foundation of Black educators, bringing consequences that are still felt today.
Fast forward 69 years later, and we’re in a situation where it’s estimated that only 7% of teachers and 11% of principals are Black. Thanks to policies such as LIFO (Last One In, First One Out), teachers of color are laid off at disproportionately higher rates when school districts face budgeting challenges and need to trim down their staff. This is detrimental to our students’ growth and development both academically and socially.
Numerous studies show that Black students have overall higher academic performance, better scores on standardized tests, increased rates of graduation and are more likely to enroll in college when they have a teacher of color. The same goes for students of other racial backgrounds. They feel more affirmed in their identity and motivated when they have a teacher who looks like them and can relate to their experiences. Even white students benefit, showing improved problem solving skills, critical thinking and creativity when they have teachers of color. White kids who are introduced to diversity will, in turn, be more compassionate and accepting, which means less headache and hardship for people of color.
Poor Performance
Another troubling aspect of our school system’s inadequacies is the poor performance we see among Black students when it comes to fundamentals such as reading, writing and doing math. Here in Minnesota, the situation is alarming, with recent Minnesota Report Card data showing that 80% of Black students don’t read at grade level and 92% don’t perform math at grade level either. What’s even more alarming is that most people aren’t even aware of this because these stats are not readily available. That’s why we need Minneapolis Public Schools to add Minnesota Report Card data on the front page of their website.
Minnesota’s politicians and educational leaders are complicit with our mediocre school system. They might say they are adamant about improving our education system, but we have yet to see any real action on their part. Aside from pouring extra money into schools, there’s not much change occurring at the core of our state’s educational infrastructure. As Black parents, we think we’re sending our kids off to school to learn and grow but in reality, they’re being left behind in the classroom and then sent out into the world without the real knowledge and tools to succeed. If we want better outcomes for our kids, we need to hold our leaders accountable.
Hope for A Brighter Future
By no means am I espousing segregation. Rather, we must recognize the failed execution of school integration and how that has contributed to the current challenges our Black students face. In order to create a better and brighter future for them, I encourage parents to take action.
Get in the game. Stay informed. Think critically. I know many Black parents who have never been to a board meeting, and that’s not good. I’m talking about parents who are smart, driven, hard-working and love their children fiercely but just don’t understand how powerful their voices are. They don’t realize the weight their opinions carry in a room of educational leaders. That’s why I’m urging parents to step up and rise to the occasion. Make that phone call, send that email, attend that board meeting and sign that petition so your ideas and concerns are heard. When you’re engaging with leaders, ask questions and demand answers. Don’t let others silence you.
We have to stop being followers and relying on systems that have continuously failed us throughout history. Education is the key to standing on our own two feet and creating a more prosperous future for Black students. The less educated and informed we are, the easier it is for us to collectively be manipulated and held back.
As you’re becoming more informed about the shortcomings of our state’s school system, apply that knowledge to your community. Share your insights and learnings with your family and friends. Help wake them up to the reality of the different forms of oppression that are prevailing in our society, especially within the walls of our academic institutions. As Black people, we need to embrace the village mindset by working together and holding each other accountable. Collaboration is crucial in preventing us from being taken advantage of by those in positions of power.
The bottom line is that while Black people may enjoy basic freedoms and human rights, there's still more work that needs to be done. At Minnesota Parent Union, we know there are major inadequacies in Minnesota’s school system, but it’s not all doom and gloom. We’re here to empower and uplift not only Black parents but all parents of color. Fighting for an improved education system is an uphill battle, but it’s one you never have to fight alone because we’re here for you.