White Privilege and Education
For decades, it has been argued that the educational system in the United States is succeeding at thoroughly representing all cultures. Many people do not see a problem with the facts, especially as it relates to American History, that have been culturally accepted as true, and are currently being taught in schools. Recently people have started to notice and take issue with these problems. It is no longer acceptable, and a change is needed because, “The history taught in school supports commonplace fictions about race that socializes many Americans in the belief that racial divisions are “natural” and white privilege is justified.” (Richardson, 2000 p. 301) For this reason, I assert that education in the United …show more content…
A large part of what is being included in textbooks has been biased by the whiteness of our culture. According to Richard Hughes, “Critics have attacked American history textbooks for a stubborn adherence to a nationalistic ideology of unfolding American progress, a lack of attention to social class or the lives of women, and a penchant for dullness at the expense of the engaging controversies of the past, but textbooks have received the most criticism for their failure to address issues regarding race” (2007, p. 201) The issues associated with biased American history education continue to mount. White privilege has created a culture where racial injustice is now increasing especially in school and in the educational system. “…today’s students have lived their entire lives in a political culture dominated by conservatism fueled partly by hostility toward efforts to promote racial justice and responsible for growing racial inequities and racial resegregation of American schools.” (Hughes, 2007, p. 206) The increase in racial problems within education have created the current racially charged climate in United States. The “whitewashing” of textbooks, plays a role in inaccurate reflection of the history of multiracial …show more content…
It won’t be an easy task, As the leader of the, United States, President Obama gives many speeches on the various policies of his administration. In his educational policy speeches, he is often unable to challenge to status quo of white dominance in education. With all his power and influence he has fought for, but cannot achieve alone, the improvements that are necessary in our educational system. In analyzing the President’s speeches, Hairston found that, “While the phrasing of President Obama suggests education as a civil right and as the great equalizer, the policies of President Obama suggest education is a polarizing force which will continue to benefit the elites and bury those not born of privilege.” (Hairston, 2013 p. 234) President Obama himself is held back from accomplishing many of his goals for the country and the educational system due to the influence of historical white dominance on American policy. Is society willing to do the necessary work required, to create a better
For decades, it has been argued that the educational system in the United States is succeeding at thoroughly representing all cultures. Many people do not see a problem with the facts, especially as it relates to American History, that have been culturally accepted as true, and are currently being taught in schools. Recently people have started to notice and take issue with these problems. It is no longer acceptable, and a change is needed because, “The history taught in school supports commonplace fictions about race that socializes many Americans in the belief that racial divisions are “natural” and white privilege is justified.” (Richardson, 2000 p. 301) For this reason, I assert that education in the United …show more content…
A large part of what is being included in textbooks has been biased by the whiteness of our culture. According to Richard Hughes, “Critics have attacked American history textbooks for a stubborn adherence to a nationalistic ideology of unfolding American progress, a lack of attention to social class or the lives of women, and a penchant for dullness at the expense of the engaging controversies of the past, but textbooks have received the most criticism for their failure to address issues regarding race” (2007, p. 201) The issues associated with biased American history education continue to mount. White privilege has created a culture where racial injustice is now increasing especially in school and in the educational system. “…today’s students have lived their entire lives in a political culture dominated by conservatism fueled partly by hostility toward efforts to promote racial justice and responsible for growing racial inequities and racial resegregation of American schools.” (Hughes, 2007, p. 206) The increase in racial problems within education have created the current racially charged climate in United States. The “whitewashing” of textbooks, plays a role in inaccurate reflection of the history of multiracial …show more content…
It won’t be an easy task, As the leader of the, United States, President Obama gives many speeches on the various policies of his administration. In his educational policy speeches, he is often unable to challenge to status quo of white dominance in education. With all his power and influence he has fought for, but cannot achieve alone, the improvements that are necessary in our educational system. In analyzing the President’s speeches, Hairston found that, “While the phrasing of President Obama suggests education as a civil right and as the great equalizer, the policies of President Obama suggest education is a polarizing force which will continue to benefit the elites and bury those not born of privilege.” (Hairston, 2013 p. 234) President Obama himself is held back from accomplishing many of his goals for the country and the educational system due to the influence of historical white dominance on American policy. Is society willing to do the necessary work required, to create a better