Critical Reflective Essay
America is considered the land of opportunity. It has the Statue of Liberty and the Golden Gate Bridge on each side of the country’s borders to represent just that notion. Unfortunately, this call does not apply to all of its citizens, especially citizens of color. Adults and children living in America, who are African American or Hispanic American, do not have economic equality or stability. The evidence of severe shortcomings in our country’s efforts to break down the barriers that exclude people of color will continue to deprive them of true equality. A common outcry from students of color is the desire for a fair and just quality of life. I believe we have reached an uncompromising and an unacceptable regression in our school systems regarding our youth, particularly those students of color. Social attitudes, limits and inconsistent service stipulations continue to exclude students of color from many opportunities, constraining the lives of them and their families. I perceive that many scholars would blame their behavior, learning ability, and beliefs on the parents’ inability to assist, hip hop music, gang units, and their overall environment. However, when does the cycle end? How can a student of color transcend all of the pitfalls and daggers that are thrown at them and still come out on top? When can they have hope in the political arena?
It’s very difficult for a young person of color to look at the bright side of life when everything around them is gloomy. I was raised in the projects (low-income dwellings) in the city of New York during my teenage year, in a single family home with an older sibling. My mother worked long hours to provide the necessities for us; however, my sibling and I work part-time jobs to assist my mother since there was no other income. In my environment none of my peers ever talked about college or even graduating from high school. Most of us had to have jobs to help support our families or some found extracurricular
It’s very difficult for a young person of color to look at the bright side of life when everything around them is gloomy. I was raised in the projects (low-income dwellings) in the city of New York during my teenage year, in a single family home with an older sibling. My mother worked long hours to provide the necessities for us; however, my sibling and I work part-time jobs to assist my mother since there was no other income. In my environment none of my peers ever talked about college or even graduating from high school. Most of us had to have jobs to help support our families or some found extracurricular
References: Thomas-Lester, Avis; (2009) Number of Black Male Teachers Belies Their Influence The Washington Post, July 4, Saturday, METRO; Pg. B01 Maxwell, Bill; (2009) The Missing Man In Class St. Petersburg Times (Florida), July 12, Sunday, PERSPECTIVE; Pg. 3P John-Hall, Annette; (2009) Education debate in black and white The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 4, Monday, PHILADELPHIA; P-com News Local; Pg. B01 Hall, H. R. (2007). Poetic expressions: Students of color express resiliency through metaphors and similes. Journal of Advanced Academics, V. 18, 216–244 Sarah Baker & Shane Homan (2007) Rap, Recidivism and the Creative Self: A Popular Music Programme for Young Offenders in Detention; Journal of Youth Studies; Vol. 10, No. 4, September 2007, pp. 459 _476 Lawrence, Charles R., III (1995) The Id, the Ego, and Equal Protection: Reckoning with Unconscious Racism; Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings that formed the movement.