Racism in Schools essay

Racism is basically the belief that all individuals of a certain race possesses some abilities or characteristics which are specific to only that race, which are utilized to discriminate them from other members of any other existing races. It is also the discrimination or prejudice directed towards someone of a different race based on that belief of superiority or inferiority. Among the wide variety of legacies in the desegregation process, racism was used in placing students from diverse races in same educational centers. However, there were few resources to help students get along. In accordance to Phillips, there was great suspicion, ire, ignorance, and fear among students of different races (Phillips, 10). Desegregation proved more painful in public schools, although it took place at both colleges and public schools. It threatened the challenge to the status quo as it represented an assault to the community control of schools, as well as, attendance at neighborhood schools.

In 1954, there was order by the Supreme Court to integrate schools. However, the order was not specific. In 1968, there was greater responsibility placed on local school officials to develop desegregation plans. This was followed by a short phase of rigorous integration, though the sub-urban districts were not permitted to take part in desegregation plans (Sisson, 848). Consequently, integration was sustained though at a slower pace till the early on 1980s. Since the establishment of the legal basis for desegregation in 1954, the nation’s universities and colleges have changed intensely. Changes are reflected in the number of blacks undergraduates in the nation’s campuses. However, poor performance by black students has created the need for adoption and implementation of affirmative action programs at campuses (Phillips 12). This has resulted into a conflict among students. Even though there is an affirmative action and financial assistance in colleges and universities, many of these educational institutions have not succeeded in making much progress.

In the current times, there exist no more protective soldiers. Nonetheless, the optimism that integration in most public schools will lead to peaceful relations amongst students in colleges and universities is met with the realism of racial and ethnic tensions at a majority of campuses all over the entire world. In fact, the process of national integration seems to have reached a turning point (Phillips 1). This has made some researchers begin to question whether integration processes among students has a positive impact on the social and academic development of black children.

Causes of Racism

Earliest interactions with guardians

Research shows that a child’s initial and earliest interactions with parents, guardians, and caregivers may affect his or her later relations with people from different races (Phillips 13). This has been proven by theories on child development as most children acquire the values and attitudes that either their parents or their society. In this case, therefore, children of parents who show some aspects of prejudice or discrimination towards a particular category of people are likely to exhibit similar attitudes. For instance, if a white parent discriminates against blacks as being dirty and inferior, his or her children are likely to stay away from blacks based on this stereotype. Therefore, an infant’s earliest interactions with caregivers are likely to influence how the child will relate to people of certain races in the future (Schreiber, 14).