This class is an introductory class for understanding the effects of one socioeconomic status. It’s difficult for a student to grow up in an environment which is from a lower level than someone who is in a higher level. A lot of the effects of status is shown in exams such as the SHSAT or the SAT. Students will explore how segregation is displayed because of the socioeconomic status of a family in New York City. It’s important to know that schools need to change how they function to create a better environment for all.
Readings:
Jones, David: New York’s Segregated School System Is an Embarrassment.
Martens, C: The Effect of Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status on Education and Health Outcomes for Children Living in Social Housing.
Watch videos on YouTube related to the news articles.
This course is essential because as a resident of New York one needs to understand the segregation that exists in the school system.
Throughout history, we learned that people hold each other responsible. For example, COVID-19 was a problem because it came from China. So who did people blame? Many held Chinese people responsible for this disease even if it wasn’t their fault. Is this fair? Not at all. However, knowing how it occurred and learning from it will reduce the chance of it happening again.
We shouldn’t put each other responsible for something, but instead, learn from it and make the world a peaceful place. Even though COVID-19 started in China and spread globally, we aren’t killing each other but trying to find a cure and work with each other to prevent it from happening again. If we spread hate, then more hatred will develop within each other. It’s essential to learn about the history of the past and learn not to repeat the mistake. Another example is slavery. We can use taxpayer money to help people of color facing financial issues based on their relatives. This is the same concept used when the U.S gave out pensions for Japanese people. Besides holding each other responsible, let’s help each other. We are all people who are seeking justice for the wrongs and fighting for what is right.
Finally, Coates adequately “makes his case,” and I find it interesting because he brings in history, proving my points that I’ve stated above. This is the right way to set amends for each other and to prevent it from happening again.
Question: How does socioeconomic status affect parental involvement in a student’s education?
I believe this research question can be related to myself and many others. I’m very interested in researching and finding the differences in a student’s academic environment based on parental involvement.
I’m thinking about using Google Scholars and reading someone’s personal experience for the research question.
“We have not ended racial caste in America; we have merely redesigned it.”
This quote means the racial caste hasn’t been eliminated but still exists somehow, which we don’t realize. It’s alarming when I found out about the jail system and the aftermath of how they are treated. As Alexander states, “They are legally denied the ability to obtain employment, housing, and public benefits—much as African Americans were once forced into a segregated, second-class citizenship in the Jim Crow era.” In other words, the belief of how African Americans are were treated still exists and hasn’t been forgotten about. I believe this is true. Jails are built to take away their freedom. Besides helping people, they treat them as animals and not a normal human being.
The track “LAND OF THE FREE” by Joey has a thoughtful meaning to the racism and inequality that exists in America. Joey uses his platform to inform people about the corrupt government in which the American people live. Throughout the music video, there’s police brutality, white supremacists, and race division. In the article, it talks about how Obama’s presidency didn’t change how Americans judge the people of color. It actually shows the hate many people have against black people.
People have to realize and wake up and notice that the country is not here to benefit everyone that’s living in it.
Joey uses his platform to create awareness that this is something that needs to be talked about. He faced these insecurities throughout his life, meaning other people of color did too. It’s not a feeling which younger kids of color should undergo. The little kids in the music video symbolize the need to build an environment that doesn’t harm future generations.
I believe Joey did an excellent job of using issues nowadays in his songs. It’s creative and thoughtful to do because of how big the music industry is. Getting a message across is easier than putting it on a poster that people only pass by.
“White elites and workers alike worried openly that Chinese labor would lead to the resurrection of slavery in another form. Moreover, Chinese immigrant were sometimes seen as lazy, dishonest, irresponsible, docile, and thieving… cartoons occasionally depicted the Chinese immigrant with "Black" features; and the "heathen Chinee" character often appeared with the Black…” (Pg. 110)
When I came across this quote, I felt disgusted by how the Chinese immigrants were seen as. Most immigrants come to the United States to get away from the messed-up government they live under and come to the “New World” to give their kids’ opportunities. Being called “lazy, dishonest, irresponsible, docile, and thieving” gives the impression they were used for the rich’s dirty work. I believe Asians had a difficult time adjusting to the U.S. As it says in the article, “…Asian Americans have been denigrated more often as outsiders or aliens” This does not show equality at all. Besides accepting immigrants as civilians of a country, they are seen as worthless machines who are used by the rich. As they say, “the rich keeps getting richer”.
They say money is the root of all evil. I say money is the root of all people.
0:00 – 0:20 Joey is saying how money controls people no matter who you are. That’s the goal we all as people have.
“Really started from the bottom, boy cotton
But they still planting plantations, we keep buying in, closed-minded men
Pride is higher than the prices on your Pradas and Balenciagas.”
Joey had a strict upbringing because he grew in an environment with daily threats and violence. He then adds the fact that this generation is so focused on designer clothes and stuff, which makes them “trapped.”
0:52 – 1:12 This scene is essential because Joey wins by gambling. This shows the lifestyle Joey had to undergo to make it out of poverty with his mother.
“I got connections that guaranteed to see closed doors.”
Joey was lucky enough to pursue his rapping career from the people he already knew. He is implying; most neighbors would get slammed by the door if they were in Joey’s position. It’s tough to get signed by a record deal and pursue the career Joey was striving for.
“I got a dollar and a dream, know what I mean?
And I gotta get my mama off the scene.”
1:54 – 2:22 “All you need is a dollar and a dream” is the New York State lottery slogan. Joey is trying to live a better life with his mother. The mom is not living a stress-free experience and Joey is trying to get the money to pay the rent and pursue his rapping career.
2:38 – 2:49 Joey goes to the local shop to get himself a mic with the money he earned from gambling and trading the sneakers he won.
“They say money is the root of all evil.
I see money as the route of all people.
‘Cause we all follow paper trails, paper trails
And everybody gotta pay their bills, pay their bills.”
2:58 – 3:24 The person in the scene was desperate for money. He didn’t hesitate to kill the man who was wearing his shoes. Remember, the shoes were lost from gambling.
3:26 – 3:45 Joey is seen opening the box and having a mic and money in it. This shows the importance of money was for his upbringing and community.
The music video ends with the verse, “It’s the dollar dollar bill, it’s the dollar bill that kills y’all.” This implies the “hunger” many facing poverty have for money. Some turn out to kill each other as shown in the music video. It was tough for Joey and the people in his community to get the funds needed to support themselves. As shown in the video, Joey’s mom was getting yelled at work while Joey was trying to pursue his rap career with the money he earned. At the end of the day, there’s always good and bads in everything we do. In this scenario, money is an evil thing. However, it is the goal many people work hard for because that’s the only way to live in this world.
When I read the poem “The President Has Never Said the Word Black,” by Morgan Parker, I started questioning why the word ‘Black’ was not used. It’s bizarre because Obama was a man of color who many people respected and were excited when elected for president. So, did he not like who he was? Was there something he was trying to hide? That is not something I can answer. However, I understood that Morgan felt left out by what I read and felt like even though there is a president of color, he wasn’t delivering voice to the African American community.
When Long Soldier said, “Everything is in the language we do NOT use, it struck me that people are better at saying things that wouldn’t cause problems between people. Obama, in a way, was doing that. When it said in the poem, “The pursuit of happiness is guaranteed for all fellow Americans.” and “The president is like we lost a young boy today.” shows that the word ‘Black’ was left out whenever he was to discuss situations. This doesn’t mean he should be looked at differently. It just means he was protecting himself and his family from the danger in this world.
The poem reminded me of how unfair the Native Americans were treated by the United States. When the poem was read, I noticed how Layli included the reasoning behind the italics and the reasons she used certain words. This separated from other poems I have read because most poems rhyme or match with the words, however, this poem was more of a message and a point.
The phrase “everything is in the language that we use”, means the words and sentences we use are crucial. In the poem, the Dakota people never received their part of the deal, which caused many of the people to take actions that they never wanted to take. This included killing other settlers, leaving their homeland, and being poor. Long wants us to understand that it isn’t fair for the people of Dakota to be treated like animals. As Myrick said, “If they are hungry, let them eat grass.” This poem taught me about how the land we call America came to be.
