The Value of Education for Minorities

The public education experience through the eyes of minorities has been a hard and laborious journey. It has been evident that minorities have had to fight for the right to learn and gain an education that was at least remotely close to that of their white peers. Education has consistently been seen as a fight for the means of holding power for one’s self, and over others. Throughout history, it has felt as though white people viewed it as a competition for control; a means to maintain a social order that is ideal for themselves. People of color though have been one of the main reasons as to how our education system has been molded and shaped. They do not want to claim anything strictly for themselves, but rather they strongly urge for the ideal world of equality and fairness regardless of race, ethnicity, etc. They want the same chances others receive when they are perceive as worthy and valid individuals. I personally believe that we do not live in a whitewashed world, as much as some white people would like to think. It feels as though we do because people perpetuate the glamour of whiteness and the power it holds in regards to opportunity and favorability, but society is far more colorful and diverse than people are led to believe. It is because of immigrant culture why we have such a strong and influential public education system throughout the majority of our country. Immigrants that come into this country are valuable in that they offer insight to other cultures and demonstrate that there is beauty and value in things that are not “white”. The importance of education for those that come here is of the utmost importance as this country was founded by immigrants themselves. The American culture is that we have all come here to live free lives to better ourselves and our families, but why should this only apply to the white man? This place has been labeled as the land of the free and has prided itself off of its diversity, so why not truly embrace the so called “melting pot” and make educational experiences personal and meaningful to those that are in fact worthy of a quality education?

Education is a sign of power and gives people the tools to further their life experiences and betterment. It baffles me that people are so competitive in nature that they want to see others fail while they themselves are off thriving. The importance of educational opportunity is that if there is to be competition, it should not be for the resources, but rather how well those resources are being utilized. People of color are seen as a threat to the white man because they are scared that they will be taking their jobs, “invading” their spaces, but in all actuality they simply just want to coexist. Because we live in a world where this is still a prevalent instance, people of color and other minorities often must display resilience in order to be at the same level or surpass their white peers. In some cases, the competition for resources is at an all-time high for those that are truly trying to show that they are just as capable as those who are seen as having default ability and entitlement to opportunity. It is from this resilience that minorities display which shows they are capable and are worthy of equal opportunity and that they should not have to fight for the right to equal chances to get where they need and want to be.

            America is seen as such a whitewashed, Eurocentric focused country, but the prevalence and significance of “majority-minority” presence is what makes this country truly a rainbow of culture. This country had been founded on the grounds that it is comprised of people searching for a place to grow and better their lives and the lives of others. Immigrants have brought with them the gratitude of being able to freely live out their lives. It is toxic to believe that the American dream only applies to those that are white. Americans all work to reach their dreams and goals, and most importantly we all contribute to the pool of funds that go to the public school system. You need to work to learn and you need to learn to work. Without the tax dollars of every worker, we would not have such a flowing economy that offers job opportunities and schooling throughout the country. Where do those tax dollars come from though? They are the product of workers that have went to school to better their lives. Their life betterment is also that of those that are working towards similar life goals. Education is still so unequal to this day though, which is why it is important to fund schools in lower socioeconomic areas, give them resources to educate their children, because without that, so much potential would be going to waste. The US education system can be made so much better if we keep the concept of inclusivity and progression in mind. It’s not about taking away from those that have so much, but rather giving to those that need those extra resources in order for them to also be a part of this symbiotic system.