Landing on the Worng Note (Week 12)
Brandon Johnsen
Gloria Ladson-Billings writes an article discussing what Brown v. Board of Education has done for not just the education system here in the United States, but for a much larger picture than that. In her article she brings up some basic and good points to what the case did for society at large. The one point that I really like (and until this point, I never looked at it from this angle) was that in WWII, we had African-Americans fighting Germany and Japan for sake of our freedom and the freedom of other countries. But, when these men came back from battle, they were fighting a whole other battle. If they fight for our country, why should they be treated differently and separately?
The second major point she brings up is how in reality, we have not gotten as far ahead with this topic as we would like to be. When you look at the struggles we have as a society now with how economically diverse we are, you could argue that this is the new fight. If every child should have the same education as any other student in the country, shouldn’t those who live in rich neighborhoods be given the same education as those who live in poverty-stricken urban areas? In theory, I believe to be right. However, we all know that a student who lives in Burlington, WI is not going to receive the same education as the student who attends Milwaukee Marshall High School. Blame it on whatever you would like to, this is a truth.
When looking at Brown v. Board of Education, a few questions pop into mind. This first question I ask myself is how prevalent is racial segregation today? I know it’s still there, but how is it in more diverse schools or less diverse schools? On NPR’s website, I stumbled upon http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94410248. This is an audio story about specific concerns with what still occurs in regards to segregation in schools. I think it’s interesting.
The next piece of literature I would like to share with everyone is the following article: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7221483. This article talks about the problems students face today with trying to pay for college, especially private-ones. The problem is that colleges are going to be so expensive one day, that only middle to upper class people are going to be able to attend them. Where is the equality in that? This would be a wonderful research paper topic for discussion. If you are commenting on my post this week, give me your opinions. In all, Ladson-Billings does a great job of looking at Brown v. Board of Education from an angle that makes you think deeper and more clearly about how it still effects us today and what we SHOULD have learned from it!
November 16th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
I have often wondered what would happen if everyone went to college. Are we in danger of it becoming like the high school diploma is today? I am certainly not saying that only the upper and upper middle class should go, but I am questioning whether everyone should go.
November 16th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Great relation to the college dilemma! I had never really thought of it before, but you’re right- are we in effect, pricing certain groups of people out of the chance of a college education? I DO believe everyone should be able to go if they choose to- and are able to perform to the higher standards. It shouldn’t matter if you are from a lower income background, or a higher one, everyone should have the equal right to an education and the opportunity to advance their future by getting one.
November 17th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
“But, when these men came back from battle, they were fighting a whole other battle. If they fight for our country, why should they be treated differently and separately?”
We still discriminate against patriots who are homosexual that have served our country bravely.
“The problem is that colleges are going to be so expensive one day, that only middle to upper class people are going to be able to attend them.”
This is already the status quo.
“If you are commenting on my post this week, give me your opinions.”
I am.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I think that sounds like a great topic. It is interesting. I often hear the third and fourth graders that I work with talking about going to college. In the world we live in at this time, it is difficult for many parents to help their children pay for college. If low interest student loans are still available, it may be reality that people will at least try. I wonder what age children begin to say they don’t want to further their education or they would rather work.
November 18th, 2009 at 10:03 am
College is a whole other sticky situation. For one thing I think that if college became more affordable there will always be the students that say they don’t want to go. They won’t even take the free education given to them in high school and they see their parents who also didn’t go to college and think that they will be just fine. However, trying to convince a student that in a few years college or post-secondary education will be a requirement instead of an extra boost is impossible. With technology improving many jobs that these students would get are becoming obsolete. Even a mechanica now can’t be self trained with all the technical aspects of vehicles.Our society is beginning to split the classes so extremely (you must have a college education but you will not be able to afford it) that in a few years to come I am scared to see where we will be at.
November 18th, 2009 at 11:04 am
“However, we all know that a student who lives in Burlington, WI is not going to receive the same education as the student who attends Milwaukee Marshall High School.”
In my opinion, they shouldn’t receive the same education. They live in two totally different areas and, therefore, their education will take on a totally different twist. I understand that you probably meant they should have equal education but equal does not mean same.