A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting in the sociology class that I had long before deemed useless when my professor asked a question that, for once, sparked something in me. We were talking about social inequality (heavy am I right?) and she asked us if we thought that education would ever level the playing field for children of all races, ethnicity, socioeconomic classes, etc. The prior discussion had been focused on how the education system continued to be an instrument of oppression for minorities and impoverished citizens.
After thinking about it for a few moments, I raised my hand and tried to articulate what I was thinking: Education does not just mean going to school. Education starts at home. The whole reason that I have always pursued a higher academic education was so that I could provide my future children with a better life (that may be weird but I've been waiting to be a mom for like, ever). So what if I work my behind off to send my kids to private school? Will they, for the most part, probably be surrounded by people of the same socioeconomic, religious, and ethnic background as them? Yes. Do I hope that they are equipped with highly qualified teachers? Yes. However, I won't consider myself as part of a social problem. I won't let it be a problem because I plan on making it clear to them that they are no different than anyone else just because of where they go to live or go to school.
I'm not saying that they can't have a little school pride or cheer at basketball or football games, but they will be taught not to treat others as less because of where they live or go to school. Or for any reason for that matter.
I don't think that the education system is perfect, but I don't think it is THE problem. The problem is that we are forgetting that we are all teachers. We should all be teaching the people in our little corner of the world to love unconditionally. We should be teaching each other to restrain our judgement and to be kind. Not only do our children need these lessons, but so do our adult friends and family members. We are all teachers and these important lessons are the ones that will make this world a better place, corner by corner.
