Racism In Schools Essay

Institutionalized racism in educational systems is a subtle, but significantly destructive form of discrimination. It has eradicated many opportunities for people of color in America to be successful, dating back to the 1800’s. Students of color of all ages are frequently punished for cultural differences and schools with high minority populations are often underfunded. Systemic racism within schools influences who these students become in society, overtime creating a build up of detrimental effects. Acquiring jobs, liveable wages, and homes in safe neighborhoods becomes difficult. Several activists and organizations have stood up to protect people of color and combat institutionalized racism. We need to design higher teaching standards, develop

Following the civil rights movement, when laws of racial discrimination were removed in the efforts to provide rights for all, many institutions did not thoroughly reform racially biased policies against minorities. According to America’s Black Holocaust Museum, it states, “Black schools were overcrowded, with too many students per teacher…Black teachers did not receive as much training as white teachers.” (2022) This displays the terrible conditions in educational systems established by oppressors to limit the education people of color would receive. Despite the abolition of these distinctly discriminatory laws today, there is still consistent inequality seen in education. According to the article “Anti-Racism” from Gale in Context, it states, “...in the US education system, many schools punish children of color more severely than other children for the same actions. People of color may also be targeted for cultural differences, such as hair styles…” (2020) This shows that teachers contribute to systemic racism by following school conduct, even if the rules themselves are inherently racist, further oppressing colored children. This is evident in the fact that educational systems have no regard to colored students' cultures and subject them to punishment. The National Center

Overcoming this is not something that can be done overnight. In order to practically combat institutionalized racism in schools, we can elect local leaders to voice our opinions to congress. This makes it so the laws that are enforced in the future provide minorities with a higher standard of education. We can also have the federal and state government reduce teacher shortages and provide schools with suitable and proper funding. On the contrary, several organizations and activists have been bold enough to oppose systemically racist policies, including NAACP. NAACP is an organization founded in 1909 by white and black activists with the intent to fight for equity and justice in our society. They provide several ways for people to support the cause and make a difference. You can become a member of the organization to work with activists, organize protests, and strengthen the voices of the people whose voices are not heard. You can also further support the cause by donating to the organization via website. Even prolific speakers have noticed and joined the fight to prove that colored people are worth more than what people think. James Baldwin was an important activist that spoke out and voiced this issue. In an interview with Paul Weiss in 1967, he says, “I don’t know if the board of education hates black people, but I know the textbooks they give my children to read, and