Introduction
The aim of the given work is to give an overview of the acute issue of unequal educational opportunities among and bias toward racial minorities in the U.S.
The issue of institutional racism has been prevalent for centuries. Although it has become less evident and violent, it persists in permeating every corner of the United States and any other country. While adults might find it challenging to move up the corporate ladder, children might find the attitudes of their teachers prejudiced. As a result, such problems lead to health deterioration and the burgeoning of injustice. Therefore, it is vital to analyze the matter of racial bias in educational establishments and draw a parallel with another developed country, such as Sweden. Thus, while in terms of law, segregation is unlawful, racism is still prevalent, which requires a solution.
History
America still experiences the consequences of institutional racism in its educational system, notwithstanding Brown v. Board’s success in desegregating schools and subsequent efforts to unify the public system of education. Still, many academics, including Matthew Lynch, consider institutional racism in the educational system to be the “New Racism”. According to Lynch, “New Racism” happens when the responsibility for low-achieving pupils of color is placed on their parents, who are seen to be negligent or unengaged in their child’s schooling. However, even after the passing of unifying laws, students of color have been feeling the tension of biasness for decades.
Racial Bias: Examples and Stories
Racial bias is a daily occurrence that students of color face every day. While one might assume that only high school students might be under most pressure, even preschool pupils experience prejudices of the educators, while students of the top universities claim that they are, too, vulnerable. McGee (2021) illuminates this issue from the perspective and stories of his fellow students. According to their opinion, Black, Indigenous, and Latinx students in top universities who major in STEM undergo not only racial stereotypes but isolation, making them feel like impostors. The author stresses in their book that due to such situations, students of color in STEM have fewer opportunities to grow and have accomplishments like their white peers.
Possible Solutions and Comparison with Sweden
Similarly to the U.S., Sweden additionally indicates the issues of racism. For instance, Kristoffersson and colleagues (2021) indicate that in medical schools, the majority of students of color feel biased. Therefore, it is necessary to find solutions to peer- and educator biases, which can only be achieved through teacher’s efforts within the walls of schools. One of the solutions to the issue of racial bias is to provide training for both teachers and students. In one case, teachers will have to undergo training on cultural diversity. However, in order to make a stronger impact, strict guidelines will be expected that will show teachers the immediate penalties that will follow discriminative treatment. In another case, students might be given more activities that will involve embracing different cultures and ethnicities.
Conclusion
In sum, one can see that inaction will not lead to positive outcomes and there is a need for transformation. Without any effort, children will keep missing their classes, which will lead to fewer opportunities.
References
Kristoffersson, E., Rönnqvist, H., Andersson, J., Bengs, C., & Hamberg, K. (2021). “It was as if I wasn’t there”–Experiences of everyday racism in a Swedish medical school. Social Science & Medicine, 270, 113678. Web.
Giordano, K., Interra, V. L., Stillo, G. C., Mims, A. T., & Block-Lerner, J. (2021). Associations between child and administrator race and suspension and expulsion rates in community childcare programs. Early Childhood Education Journal, 49(1), 125-133. Web.
McGee, E. O. (2021). Black, brown, bruised: How racialized STEM education stifles innovation. Harvard Education Press.
Solis, C. (2021). The racial inequalities of the American public school system. Emerging Writers, 4(1), 9. Web.