The Solution
After class on Monday I felt that we had a good discussion because we had some disagreements and we had people try and explain their point of views much more than normal. After reading this part of the choice is ours, I think that it is going to be very hard to fix the segregation. We can bus kids to other schools, but that is only going to solve the problem for the time being. In order to truly fix it, people need to move to areas where they would not normally live. Like I have said many times, I come from a town that had about 8 african americans, and about 20 asians. I think the main reason that my school was like this is because of the cost of homes in Mahtomedi. In Mahtomedi there are the middle-class suburban homes, the lower-middle class homes in the heart of Mahtomedi and then the upper-class mansions surrounding the town. Most of the lower-middle class homes have been occupied for many years and the families are not moving out of there, so people cannot move in there. I think segregation is such a big problem in the suburbs because of the cost of houses there. Houses are going for about $300,000 a piece or more. Rarely, at least in Mahtomedi, do homes go for less than that. Like Anna said in class, most inner city kids are not focused on school because they are focused on survival. I think that most inner city kids have to focus on those things and live in the inner city because they do not have the money to live in the suburbs. I think that is a big problem and I would love to fix it, but I do not think it will happen anytime soon. We can bus kids from the city to the suburbs, but we can't force them to talk to white kids or any other kids that they do not want to. I think segregation needs to be fixed, but I think it is going to be a lot harder than they make it seem.
Comments
I think that we have pretty much all come to the conclusion that finding a way to deal with the segregation in the Twin Cities will not be an easy task. When you think about it though, if it were simply that easy the problem would not still be a problem today. That is why various programs have been made to fix the problems and have come up with only minor effects on the problem of a quality education for all. You bring up a good point Devon, that even if we did manage to find a way to provide affordable housing for everyone and balance the racial and socioeconomic issues, it does not mean that everything will be perfect. Programs and effort would need to be in place to integrate all the students.
I agree with the point that both Anna and Devon brought up about focusing on survival. My interview with the social worker about problems related to lack of parental guidance led to a discussion about survival with parents. When getting a meal, a place to stay the night, or a job becomes a daily trial, education for your child does not matter anymore. Survival is now number one in your life, and children can be greatly affected by this. No longer do they have a stable place to come home at night, or a good meal to eat, or someone there to ask them how their day is going. Everything revolves around making it to the next day, not the education that you will need further down the road.
Posted by: Ashley Johnson | October 29, 2006 6:28 PM