Sadly, this has been the trend across the USA for the past few years. Money is tight, so make cuts to education. Then, as the educational system doesn't work (because of lack of teachers and funds), blame the schools that the students aren't learning...And, as "logic" would have it, if the student's aren't learning, punish the schools by making more cuts.
As people of faith, and as Americans, we can no longer allow this to happen. In our nation's system, the ONLY way to rise is through education. Even then, there are class/cultural issues that can get in the way. But, we'll leave those issues alone for the purposes of this argument.
It's time we look at education as a fundamental right, just like the right to free speech, the freedom of the press, etc. When we deny a child education, or when we give a limited education, we are in fact denying that child the chance to have a productive adult life. Sadly, this denial of education seems to be geographical. Not geographical in the large sense, but mostly in the smaller sense. Larger cities are facing bigger cuts than the suburbs of the same cities. Rural areas are facing more cuts than more populated areas. So, what we see is "geographical discrimination."
But, let's take a closer look at that "geographical discrimination" to see what is truly happening. In the USA, according to the 2010 Census, the racial makeup was roughly as follows: All White (Includes some Hispanic), 72%; Black, 13%, Hispanic 16%. Larger cities (with only a few exceptions) have a larger concentration of minorities by percentage than the suburbs. Rural areas differ in racial makeup by geographical area, but in these areas, the typical family is working class and a substantial number is below the poverty line.
Having our statistics, does the problem look obvious? We are committing institutional discrimination on our minority and poor populations. We are taking away what voice is left among the voiceless and justifying it by saying "there just isn't enough money." To that, I answer (and pardon my language here, but this is quite personal for me): "Bull$#!+"
"But people in cities and rural don't provide enough in tax revenue to support their children's education." That's what is often said (or at least implied). The fact that they don't provide the revenue that a suburban area does is true. But, why is it true? Since the dawn of humankind, people have always feared "the other." People have forgotten that God created humans "in God's image." That means ALL humans (White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Mixed Race, etc.). If it is a person, "it" is made in the image of God. Sadly, those of the majority have always seen "the other" as something to be feared. As a result of fear, the majority has always tried to dominate the minority.
"Well, that's just democracy in action...right?" NO! The idea of majority rule may work for elections of political candidates and what TV shows are on and which get cancelled, but this idea must be stopped when it provides "legal" discrimination against another human being.
Look at our urban areas with all the "project housing," "slums," and "crime," and ask why. At one time, cities were inhabited and run by the majority with the minority (though the minority usually had to face discrimination, intimidation, and segregation). When the minority was recognized legally as deserving of human rights, the majority left the cities and formed their own "utopian" communities. They drove up prices of housing/rentals that only the elite of the minority class could follow. This action put the minority races and the less-elite of the majority race into greater concentration in our cities.
Few will disagree with that account, but many will say "it's legal." They are right, but we need to ask, "Is it moral?" People can (and should) be able to live where they choose, but because of their choices, those who live in other areas should not be denigrated. Because Person A chooses to live in a suburb does not take away the fundamental rights of Person B who stays in the city (by choice or because he/she cannot afford to move).
As this "segregation by attrition" happened, the flow of money also became concentrated where the majority reside. Again, that's an indisputable fact well within the rights of those who have their money. But, that still does not mean that the government does not have the obligation to make sure that education is a priority for all people.
In order to prosper as a nation, we cannot be divided by issues of "my side of town vs. your side of town." We cannot be divided in "my race vs. your race." Because at the end of the day, we are ALL of one nation and creations of one God.
The money to fund public schools is there despite what politicians say. In fact, the money could be distributed more equally without hurting anyone. Get rid of outdated weapon systems. Get out of the 2 (or 3) wars which receive hundreds of billions of dollars (we never had an objective for any of the wars, nor did we ever have an exit strategy). Have everyone pay their fair share of taxes. Don't overburden anyone, but make the system fair.
This war against education must be stopped, or we will be a nation bankrupt of money, morals, and educated people. The time of lies and half-truths needs to be finished. As a nation, we need to accept no less than the best for OUR children who have no voice to advocate for themselves.
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