Blog #8 The Problem We All Live With

I liked this podcast the most. Integrating kids to get a better and healthier learning environment actually makes so much sense. I like how Nicole explains how it’s not about how being next a white kid that sparks something in the kids, it’s about gaining the same access to great education just like they do. So many minority kids don’t get the education they deserve because they live in urban areas where the school district is not providing them the tools to succeed. In contrast, districts with white people being in the majority get all the state-of-the art technology, the best sports program, extracurricular opportunities, etc. Unfortunately, this is often the case in many places. I felt so sad when Mariah was crying about how she was “put in a box”. No one should ever feel that way. At the town hall meeting, the overtly racist parents and opposition they had is horrible. I could not believe how crazy they were being. The one person that had me fuming was the lady who wanted to vote on letting the Normandy kids come into the Francis Howell district like they did in the past with public transportation. I can’t believe how she really compared children to public transportation. She states “Years ago, when the Metro Link was being popular, St. Charles County put to a vote whether or not we wanted the Metro Link to come across into our community. And we said no! And the reason we said no is because we don’t want the-*PAUSES* the different areas, and I’m trying to be very kind, coming across on our side of the bridge bringing with it everything that we’re fighting today against”. How more racist can you get? How could she have the desire to deny other children the right to a better education? I laughed when I heard another woman yell that it wasn’t a race issue. IT IS. Many of the people that came to the mic danced around it by saying they wanted metal detectors installed and were fearing for their children’s safety and a whole load of crap excuses. It’s clearly because black kids were coming into their school district and they didn’t want that. I’m so angry at them. I wonder how they would feel if they were pressed against the wall in a similar situation. Everyone, no matter their skin tone, deserves the right to an amazing education. I’m so glad Mariah was persistent in going to Francis Howell either way, even though what the parents said was disgustingly hurtful and traumatic to a child. She and her mom were so persistent in getting her a great education. Also, Rihanna Curtain’s experience is horrible. A girl would call her racial slurs and the same girl would instigate. I felt frustrated for her when Rihanna said she couldn’t do anything back because then the perpetrator is seen as the hero. It’s heart wrenching how she is not the only student who would experience this, even in today’s society. Though, I do like how justice was served when the girl who called her all those names was actually the one that needed help with math. I hope for a better future and education for this generation.