Does+it+Still+Exist?

=Does it still exist?=



In many respects, it can be argued that yes, indeed apartheid is alive and well in the 21st century. While not entirely visible, as it was in South Africa up until 1998, to the naked eye, the system of apartheid is gradually evolving into American society, into our schools, communities, and daily living environment.

If one were for instance to conduct a research study on the affects and existence of apartheid in Americas public education system, one would first pose the question of is the U.S. system of education evolving into apartheid, as a result of social, racial, economic, and demographic inequalities? Thus, ones hypothesis would include the notion that if social, racial, economic and demographic inequalities are ignored then the U.S. system of education would become apartheid.

To expand the parameter of this research, one must then go out into the field of academia, into the “real society,” and experiment. This might include collecting collect data on U.S. system of education and social inequalities in schools. As well as attempting to measure how social factions, like racial disparity, economic inequality, standardized testing, and demographics of current U.S. population statistics influence the evolution of apartheid in the U.S. system of education and compare demographics of schools and students across the United States. Ideally, one would then compare population rations in respect to race, family income levels, college entrance rates, environment, school funding, and standardized test scores.

A brilliant scholar, Jonathan Kozol, and author of the newly released book entitled “Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America,” has been one of the most relentless critics of educational and social inequalities in the United States. Kozol visited 60 schools in 11 states over a five-year period and finds, despite the promise of Brown v. Board of Education, many schools serving black and Hispanic children are spiraling backward to the pre-Brown era. These schools lack the basics: clean classrooms, hallways and restrooms; up-to-date books in good condition; and appropriate laboratory supplies. Teachers and administrators eschew creative coursework for rote learning to meet testing and accountability mandates, thereby "embracing a pedagogy of direct command and absolute control" usually found in "penal institutions and drug rehabilitation programs." In turning his gaze to school segregation, he discovers what should be obvious to anyone who has spent time in public schools—they are more segregated than ever. Kozol’s research and reporting is so extensive that no one can challenge his conclusions: Separate is indeed unequal, and as a society we are robbing successive generations of poor, minority children of their only lifeline out of poverty.

The fact of the matter is that our public system of education that at one point in history was held shackled by the chains of racism, discrimination, political injustice, and segregation is gradually beginning a rebirth. In some instances, it has become a catch 22. The ever evolving factions of today’s society are greatly impacting education today. Schools are provided financial funds for students based upon how they are graded via standardized testing that is completed by the students. So it can be argued that if these schools are not “making the grade,” then essentially the students are suffering because they will not receive the texts books, and other supplemental materials needed to better enhance their education because of lack of funding.

In another instance, if we look at demographics, we could see the rebirth of segregation. In urban areas vs. suburban areas the diversity ratio among African-Americans, Latinos, and other minorities compared to Caucasians are staggering. In fact, within these segregated schools, many of the high based minority populations after high school are geared toward entering the work force, as in comparison to urban schools, where secondary education such as college are promoted and advocated.

There is no secret that drastic changes are needed to modify our educational system today. The implementation of better, newer, and improved technology, equal school funding, embracing integration, and doing away with the “closeted” system of apartheid, can greatly assist in the fight. Nevertheless, these are only minor factors that are essentially pivotal parts of a broader goal of educational change.