Assignment 3 (Reflection III) - Juvan A. Davis

 Part III: 1950-1980 Separate and Unequal

 

From reading part three of the book, I have finally gathered more than enough information to better understand as to how the US schools were created with the ones in which we inhabit in the present.  This book has really educated me as well as highlighted many dilemmas with education and how it poorly it was structured and dealt with, especially in this chapter of the book entitled '1950 -1980 Separate and Unequal'.  I would use two words at most to describe this section of the book and that is 'SEGREGATION' & 'INTEGRATION'.

            The first word segregation really described the beginning part of this chapter.  Segregation played a huge part in this chapter by showing that the people of color experienced many violent attacks, job losses, being homeless and all this did was highlighted inequality even more.  For example, why was it that Mexican Americans were receiving harsh and brutal comments like "they will not move further with education or amount to anything" from the teachers and counselors of the school to whom are to always guide, nurture and protect the students at all times while on school compound.  Another example was that these same Mexican American students were not allowed to speak their primary language which was Spanish.  To justify the statement that I just made is, this is what the book stated, "We were not allowed to speak Spanish. We would be given an option.  Three days suspension, or three licks with a paddle for speaking Spanish (p.151).”

The second word integration best described the ending part of the chapter.  Reason being is because throughout this part of the book, there were individuals jeopardizing their lives in order to fight for ‘Educational Opportunities Equality’.  This same fighting, protesting and dedication is the main reason for the splendid education I am receiving as I blog to you.  There was one prime example which stood out to me for it elaborated the people’s hard-work, complaints, and perseverance was, the lawsuit against local white school officials made by Joseph Delaine.  This lawsuit made was for not providing transportation for his children or even loved ones that attended the school, and it had tremendous negative impacts towards his life.  Mr. Delaine understood that he had to suffer the consequences of his wife, his siblings and a niece being fired from their jobs, also firing him from his job to which he worked at for ten years as a teacher, and lastly the burning down of his home to which him and his family live in and even the church that he would preach at but the most horrific consequence was forcing him migrate to another place of living to ensure the safety of both him and his family.