Desegregation and the Struggle for Equal Education: Examining the Challenges

Abstract

Learning in a Burning House Horsford talks about the problem of desegregation and the possible solutions to the issue of racism and learning. The effects of desegregation and its relationship with racism are discussed. Education policies were based on illusions instead of a far-reaching vision of equal education during the post desegregation. This essay aims at giving a critical analysis of chapters 4-6 of the book, learning in a Burning house, and finalizing it with a personal opinion as far as the chapters herein are concerned. School desegregation is argued in chapter four in its importance and impact on the country's overall performance. One can say that the desegregation affected the black communities in terms of education and terms of both present and future careers (Horsford, 2011). Without adequate education, the black communities' future was at stake, meaning that the end was dim. Job opportunities, therefore, grew slim for the black communities and the whites took of them. Thus, in this reference, it is clear that desegregation escalated poverty levels for the black communities as the whites took up their positions. According to chapter four, it is evident that the workforce's quality went downhill considering that qualified black personnel had to step down for less qualified white personnel. In terms of output, this was a negative trajectory meaning that the desegregation did not only affect the black people only but the whole country at large (Horsford, 2011). The translation of this could be equated to having people enrich themselves by making others poor. A nation with that kind of leadership only enjoys the moments for a short time, and the reality kicks in whereby the workforce required are poor, and revolts become the next option for the oppressed. Chapter four, therefore, argues that desegregation was done so that segregation could be done in a better efficient manner so that the black communities could be weakened (Horsford, 2011). In chapter five, one can argue that health is an important factor in education(Horsford, 2011). It is, therefore, necessary to improve the health care services since unhealthy children cannot make any academic progress. To ensure that education is looked upon, it would be necessary to consider the importance of incorporating teacher education programs in partnership with the local communities and the schools to make it possible for education to reach the village level. It is evident that among other factors that have affected education is the lack of funds which, on the other hand, has resulted in ineffective school programs (Horsford, 2011). Poverty acts as the main hindrance as far as education is concerned. Many children cannot get a quality education regardless of having some good schools and good teachers in the communities. One can ascertain that education has been derailed because of race issues, which further aggravates poverty due to segregation and inequality (Horsford, 2011). As far as education is concerned, all...