Part 3 (1950- 1980): Separate and Unequal

 

    Part 3 of School: The Story of American Public Education focuses on the years of 1950- 1980. These years come after a time where America faced a large influx of immigration. Majority of the families who immigrated to the United States in those years were from European nations, but there were large amounts of families that emmigrated from Latin American countries such as Mexico. By this time the American public school system had already been set and has grown into a stable system academically. Although the public school system had grown from its beginnings in 1770, it still was not perfect and had many issues that still needed to be resolved. One of the main issues that is discussed in this section of the book was the issue of segregation within the schools. 

    Segregation wasn't just something African American's faced in schools, but was faced in other public facilities as well. Even though there were many places that enforced segregation, many African American's believed that if they started fighting against it in school systems that it would lead to a desegregation of all segregated areas. We know that the African American population were the most targeted and effected by segregation, but as seen in part three, even many Mexican Americans (Latinos) faced segregation in the school systems. 

    The whole point of the fight for desegregation was not just because the parents of these children wanted them to go to school with white kids; it was that they wanted their children to have equal education with the whites. These parents understood that education allowed for a better future and variety of successful opportunities toward college and life. With that in mind the families realized that they were not receiving the same opportunities as whites had for a better future and life in a growing America. Eventually after much violence, struggle, protests, and court cases segregation was diminished with Brown vs. Board Of Education. 

    It wasn't an immediate cancelation of segregation but eventually with the right government leaders, segregation was diminishing. Although the issue of segregation was diminishing, other issues that caused a sense of separation and unequalness was urban schools against suburban schools, and girls/women not receiving the same education/ academic opportunities as boys/men. It may have been a a while but women were finally given the same opportunities at school as men were. The issue of urban schools and suburban schools still stands today. 

    I believe that separate but equal can be a viable option in education today. Although I believe that it can be a viable option I do not feel that it is the best option for everyone. There are universities such as HBCU's that can allow certain people to strive and feel their best in an academic environment full of people with similar views, lifestyles, and goals. Though there are institutes such as those, I believe that not everyone can strive in that specific environment. As a society it is not something I feel we should pursue. The more we pursue separate things even if equal it will lead to larger political issues.