Reflection on America’s Educational Apartheid
Nowadays, the problem of school segregation is actual again and the trend is
quite disturbing since the cases of segregation are getting to be more and more
often. Not surprisingly that Jonathan Kozol is extremely disturbed by the current
situation.
Basically, the author underlines that segregation persists in modern schools
where the share of black and Hispanic students is so substantial that in certain
cases reach almost one hundred percent. Obviously, such a situation is abnormal
and violates basic democratic principles and norms so many people inspired by
the ideas of Martin Luther King struggled for in the middle of the 20th century.
At the same time, the situation cannot remain unchanged since it widens the
gap between representatives of different races putting white students into advantageous
position while black and Hispanic students, as well as other ethnic and racial
minorities feel extremely deprived. Consequently, it is necessary to find a
solution of the problem of the current segregation, which is actually disguised,
and change the situation for better making American schools really diverse and
where children could really feel what it is to live in a really democratic and
tolerant society.
Unquestionably, the problem raised by the author is really disturbing and affects
dramatically every individual who is interested in the present, and what is
more, in the future American education. In fact, the author reminds us one more
time that the principles of equality and diversity which ruined the old racist
system in the US in the middle of the 20th century are still relevant and need
to be practically applied in the modern educational system. Obviously such articles
are very important since they openly indicate to educators at the burning problems
that many of us prefer to ignore without reflecting on possible negative consequences
of such a situation that can undermine social stability and the basic principles
of American society.
Bibliography:
1. Kozol, J. “Still Separate, Still Unequal: America’s Educational
Apartheid”, Harper’s Magazine, v. 311, n.1864, 1 Sep. 2005.
