Students attending Morehouse College, Xavier University, Howard University, Fisk University, and Tuskegee University should be clamoring for help from the Federal Government. They are all receiving an inferior education.
Wow. That ought to rattle a few cages.
But it isn’t my conclusion. The “education experts” determined that. A web site championing “diversity” in higher education has posted a report titled Who Benefits from Racial Diversity in Higher Education?:
These recent empirical studies suggest that there is a sound educational justification for institutional attempts to create a racially diverse student body. The presence of racially underrepresented students appears to contribute to the total institutional environment and particularly to the education of white students. Thus, increasing the numbers of students of color on campus not only expands opportunities for those “additional” students of color who enroll, but also enhances the educational experiences of white students.
Statistics reveal that too many colleges and universities are still racially homogeneous; too many of our classrooms are all-white or predominantly white.
In today’s San Antonio Express-News, writer Matt Flores decies the lack of “diversity” at UT and A&M:
But more than 50 years after civil rights advocates hailed the Supreme Court decisions as major victories, higher education in Texas continues to face significant challenges in equalizing opportunities between Anglos and non-Anglos.
Absolutely right, Matt. Anglos don’t have equal opportunity. They must perform better than non-Anglos to gain admission to either of those schools.
Why is it okay now for black students to attend inferior schools? Thurgood Marshall and many others fought to make sure there were no longer black schools and white schools. Yet even today, there are still black colleges. Are these students not upset that they are not receiving the benefits of a racially diverse student body? After all, diversity “enhances the educational experiences of white students.” Does it not do the same for black students?
It is time to put an end to all racial preferences in education. Every student in this country has the same opportunity to learn. Some don’t feel the need. If they cannot learn the basics required in high school, how can they hope to succeed in college when many of those who do better have difficulty?
There are plenty of programs available to help disadvantaged high school graduates with funding, which is the only real disparity of opportunity. Yet even without that, local community colleges offer inexpensive education anyone with a job can afford.
So opportunity continues to be defined by skin color, because there is no other way to defend preferences.
And how do Japanese students survive in their racially isolated schools? I think those students are beating American students in every area. So much for theory.
I pontificate often that any child who works hard enough in the U.S. can go to college. In Midland a generous family has set up a trust fund to pay the tuition to our junior college to any kid from our two high schools who has a “C” or better average. Even I could have done that! And….if you do well at a two year school you should have no problem transfering to a larger school to finish your degree.
I also pontificate to kids….”forget college, go to a trade school and be a plumber. That’s were the big money is going to be in the future”. Only half kidding.
Comment by wallace — May 11, 2004 @ 11:39 pm
I agree that college isn’t the end-all some people make it out to be. In fact, many careers pay very well if someone has the right background, which includes only some college. Unfortunately, college of some level is almost essential because the quality of high school diplomas has declined.
I went to college right out of high school after graduating with honors. I dropped out of college with a 1.25 GPA (I did have a good time!). I eventually got my degree by first getting some practical experience and putting that learning to work in getting an associates degree. Then I felt I was ready to get an engineering degree.
Too many parents insist their kids go to college right out of high school, and a lot of them (like me) aren’t really ready. Vocational training has such a bad reputation, and it is for no reason.
At any rate, skin color doesn’t matter unless you want it to matter. All those black colleges put out students with a good education, in spite of the fact they aren’t diverse.
Comment by Bunker — May 12, 2004 @ 7:39 am