However, due to the location of the state of Maryland being below the Mason Dixon line but considered a Northern state, the population of African Americans in Baltimore was exceedingly high even prior to 1954.
In result of the movement, the numbers of African Americans rose and the schools became over crowded. This overpopulation called for structured districting amongst the school system. Meaning students could not enroll at a school in a district where they do not reside. The problem with the districts is the already segregated neighborhoods. Caucasians and African Americans lived in different neighborhoods therefore went to different schools.
There is recorded history of accusations that the Baltimore City School System is “race conscious” in their districting decisions.
Questions to Consider:
- How should the city of Baltimore have handled the segregation problem post Brown v. Board?
- May the immediacy of their enforcing been the downfall of today's issue?
- Do you consider Baltimore City segregated? Do you consider Baltimore City Public schools segregated?
- Do you think re-districting the neighborhoods of Baltimore City will prove a positive effect on the social issues amongst the races?
I do not believe you should redistrict students.
ReplyDeleteI know that I would want to stay in my community...although, if you were lived in a very poor neighborhood, you may want to attend a different district.
1. How should the city of Baltimore have handled the segregation problem post Brown v. Board?
ReplyDeleteI don’t know. Has there been any other method tried that has worked in just this situation? I do not believe the true intent of “districting” in Baltimore City Schools was to help facilitate a continued form of segregation. Yes, there is some well documented disenfranchisement between black and white schools when it came to the curriculum. That same problem persists nearly 50 years later. Districting the school system was merely a quick, down and dirty solution. All be it a flawed one.
To put every child on a level playing field a standard of achievement must be set for all grades regardless of anthropological difference. Funding should be provided to failing school districts to help turn them around. But this funding cannot be part of a prolonged effort. If the schools cannot show improvement with the aid provided, then that school should be put under closer scrutiny.
2. May the immediacy of their enforcing been the downfall of today's issue?
To a great extent, yes. As time went on schools began catering to the social class that made up the larger portion of their student body. The Board of Education and the city government did nothing to curb this process. Eventually it skewed predominantly black schools so bad that the standards once set by the federal, state and local governments nearly vanished. The BoE and school principals began to customize a curriculum that offered little educational value but merely helped to provocate a thought process that this is where you come from, so this is all you’ll ever be.
3. Do you consider Baltimore City segregated? Do you consider Baltimore City Public schools segregated?
The racial makeup of neighborhoods, especially those found in Baltimore, at the time of B vs. B were racially divided; partly by choice, but mostly by a social and fiscal pecking order. Desegregation did not provide immediate restructuring of social status along racial lines. People remained within similar racial neighborhoods for numerous other reasons as well. That remains true to this day.
Those neighborhood schools are a microcosm of their surroundings.
4. Do you think re-districting the neighborhoods of Baltimore City will prove a positive effect on the social issues amongst the races?
No. The social issues that beleaguer Baltimore City neighborhoods do not wax or wane when some district boundary is crossed. True, most minority neighborhoods are in a state of moral and social decline, but it is up to said neighborhood to attempt to right the wrongs. Granted there are some people (regardless of race) who simply cannot catch a break, but they are quick to blame someone else for their problems. People’s attitudes towards other races within Baltimore city are but a part of the problem. The populace should do more to help out their neighbors. Strong leadership from within the communities is often a good start. Righteous voices and positive action from the street level fights its way up the social “food” chain. When people come together to support a cause and strive to make a difference in their neighborhoods, they are empowered to elect officials to public office and city government who can help structure a positive turn around for the city, it’s districts, and neighborhoods.