Separate but Equal

Separate But Equal Robert R. Odle, Ph.D. an aspiring good citizen of the earth

…separate but not equal....

Perhaps we were wrong. Remember when we decided that separate was inherently not equal.  Well, 40 years later, we are still mostly separate and definitely still not equal with regard to both opportunities and how minorities are treated:

1. Schools are still predominantly white or black or hispanic.
2. Neighborhoods and slums are still dominated by single races.
3. Most social groups seem to naturally segregate by race.
4. Work environments, especially management, is white dominated. Even places like colleges where we would expect the most progress, are still dominated by white professors.  (Am I wrong on any of this, they are just based eyeball observations not data.)

So, if we are still separate and integration is so elusive, it makes sense to me to make sure everything is equal.  Let’s start with the schools:

1. Are the “black: (or hispanic, or native etc.) equalled funded? If not, let’s make sure it happens across states, neighborhoods, etc.
2. Are the teachers in “black schools” paid as much as their counterparts in “white schools”?  If not, let’s make it so.
3. Are the facilities in the “black schools” as aesthetically pleasing and as functional as the schools in the “white” schools. If not, fix it.
4. Are the information systems in the “black schools” as good as their counterparts in the “white schools”.  If not, fix it.

Of course, these are easy concepts, but they are complicated to execute.  But, do we even have the will to set up such goals and pursue them.  One of the biggest obstacle  is the ridiculous way schools are funded primarily from property taxes. It means from the first step we are struggling to equalize the flow of money to schools in poor neighborhoods.  Of course, as stupid as funding schools primarily from property taxes, I don’t see anyone advocating to change this and fund schools out of the general fund.

Have you noticed that most of your social events are with people of your own color.  That’s the way it is in my world.  I don’t really it like it this way, but I am at a loss on how to change it.  We have one African American in our movie group, who I really enjoy, but she is the only person of color in my life on a social, or any other role. I know I need life experiences with other races to really appreciate their view of life and them as fellow travelers on our journey.

I’m not saying give up on integration, I am just saying while we figure out integration (or not), let’s start working on the concept that all students should have an equal opportunity for success starting with kindergarten (if not sooner). Couple that with free college education at the other end and perhaps we can position America for this new automated, computer world that is coming.

is equal good enough for now?