Schooling III: Ten Reasons Why Public Schools Are Needed

I so often hear people, from all walks of life, rail against the failures of public education...Sometimes for very good reason, but often as a result of misplaced expectations. Initially, public education was to act as a bulwark against widespread ignorance over universal truths, like science and math. And as a hedge against insurrection fomented against a fledgling nation and, later, in opposition to those who would operate against a world power. It would prepare the masses to succeed as leaders of the republic, and as captains of industry.

The right to an education is not expressly mentioned in the Articles of the Constitution. Instead, it was interpreted as a right by the U.S. Supreme Court, by virtue of the 'pursuit of happiness' clause. That is about all the agreement that exists in this country over public education. As with many other laws, the Constitution leaves it to her individual States to implement its civil liberties. Most people know the history of uneven allocation of educational resources practiced by this nation manifesting from its 'separate but equal' laws. Even before that legal imposition, wealthy people, routinely pursued a private education whenever they could. That brings us to now, when after decades of miseducation, neglect and widespread criticism, and sometimes unfair mischaracterizations, public education -- particularly urban and rural education -- is seen as the least desirable option for children by many quarters of our society.

That leads me to the following list of ten reasons why public school is still an important civil right, and to why, despite its shortcomings, it remains the best proposition for the American public, especially the urban and rural poor.

1. Education is not free, or even a right, for people in many nations around the world.

2. Public schools are still a viable means of providing a basic education for the masses.

3. Schools provide a place of custody for millions of children in the country while their guardians try to access the labor market -- keeping them safe from neglect or exploitation.

4. Schools provide a free or reduced cost meal for children who might otherwise go without nutritional food.

5. Public schools provide an efficient means for rendering other essential services such as health care and information that might not otherwise reach needy families.

6. Public schooling holds possibilities for inspiring youth and families to exceed limited expectations and improve their standard of living.

7. Most schools are connected to other non-academic opportunities for youth such as athletics, music and the arts.

8. Public education encourages diversity and tolerance, directly or indirectly.

9. Schools are businesses. They provide employment and recreational opportunities for neighborhood residents that help stabilize otherwise blighted communities.

10. Public education is a means of perpetuating the best American ideals of opportunity for all.

Why doesn't this enumeration include the lofty notions of academic excellence, ingenuity, or a free range for young American minds that most educators are trained to espoused? Because that is simply not a reality for all school.

Mr. President?

Here we are two weeks after the most historic election in the history of the United States of America , and I am just now getting around to writing about it. In fact, I am primarily writing to stay current with events. The reason for delaying this installment is that so much is being printed on the election that I did not want to be redundant by restating the obvious. Nevertheless, the election of a black man to the highest office in the land warrants an opinion statement from all thinking people.

Probably the most common question people are asking themselves is "What will it mean?" The answer I have settled on is that it means whatever we will attribute to it. So many of us are justifiably proud that I will not begin to diminish the significance of this election with a sobering reflection of the race relations among ordinary everyday people, or the many known and unknown committees, commissions, groups, agencies and councils that manage and inform the direction of the presidency -- irrespective of statements made for public consumption. A black man of an African father and white mother is now the commander and chief of this country, and he lives in the Whitehouse. A place built by African laborers and, for a long time since, denied access to any Blacks other than as its servants.

Let me continue, then, with a litanty of the obvious and hoped-for meanings of President-elect Obama's magnificent achievement. Barack Obama's successful elections means that the presidency is not the exclusive province of white people. It means that he and his campaign team ran a masterful campaign in order to overcome such tremendous odds. It signals that the majority of the (voting) white people are open to change. That they can look past a man's race and evaluate him on more than such superficial criteria. It signals that Black people recognized that for the first time they had a candidate that was of the highest caliber, and they were not ashamed to rally around their race identity in order to make a statment of pride -- anymore than white Irish-Catholics did for John F. Kennedy. Barack Obama's election victory means that American people are more optimistic than cynical about their future. And, perhaps, that they know when they hear an authentic and trustworthy voice.

Ultimately, Mr. Obama's presidency will be judge by more than all the early symbolism that it presents today. However, symbolism is enduring and it can be managed for the long term betterment of a people. For at least the next four years the world, and more importantly for me, black children, will have a towering symbol to point to that will eclipse the once useful, but long since obsolete, examples of strident, often angry, protest politics. In the symbol of Mr. Obama, black children cannot help but recognize that a thoughtful, articulate, accomplished family man is not only a fine example, but one that looks like they do. A man with a family and background like their own who proved that, through a milder thoughtful temperment, an unyeilding intellect, and persistence of character, he could win out against his rivals...And do it with class.

For me, I am hopeful that President-elect Obama's tenure will be a game changer on the international stage, as well as at home. I am hoping for no more bombing of people and countries in pursuit of their natural resources which they refuse to fork over under the guise of some treaty. No more secret operations against heads state simply because they do a little sabre-rattling. I am hopeful for direct aid to long suffering African countries that will allow them to become dignified players in the global economy and aid their people. I am hopeful for an Obama presidency that will greatly improve relations with Cuba in the way we have with Viet Nam. A presidency that shows how diplomacy is not an act of weakness for our country, but of strength and confidence in or power...And that is just for starters!

Yes, there is much to hope for in a Barack Obama presidency. However, this is the man who taught the nation of the 'audacity of hope.'