When
I was attending Madera South High School, from 2006-2010, I could not help, but
to notice there was not much diversity in my school. Before my senior year in
high school I thought that it was normal that the majority of people were
Latino or Hispanic. According to the census, as of 2013, the population of
Madera is approximately 63,105. In 2010, an estimated 77 percent of the
population identified as Hispanic or Latino, while 17 percent was non-Hispanic
white, and all other racial groups were 3 percent or under. During summer
break, after my junior year, I lived around San Jose and was regularly attending
Evergreen Valley High School. The first thing I noticed was the amount of white
people campus and around the area. It made me feel uncomfortable being around
so many white people because in the Central Valley I was used to being around a
majority Latino population. I suddenly was surrounded by a diversity of people.
When I returned back to Madera for my senior year I realized of how Madera
South was heavily concentrated with socioeconomically disadvantaged Latinos.
Reflecting back on my high school years I hear from former high school graduates
and recognize how racially segregated Madera South was. Each academic year the district of Madera posts the School Accountability Report Card on their website on all schools within the district. These annual reports provide statistics on demography, academic performance, testing scores, graduation rates and other information on a particular school. According to these annual reports, in 2012-2013 Hispanics/ Latinos made up 87 percent of the population at school followed by 7 percent white non-Hispanic, 3 percent African Americans, 1 percent Asian and all other racial groups were under 1 percent. Approximately 89 percent of students at Madera High were socioeconomically disadvantaged. The Academic Performance Index (API), measuring academic performance and progress, indicates that Madera South was given a 3 out of 10 rank statewide in 2013. In that same year, whites were more likely than any other group to perform at a proficient and advanced level on the California State Test across all categories including English, math, science and history/social sciences. Similarly, whites were more likely to perform at an advance level on both English and Mathematics on the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). Despite being a predominately Latino school, the small numbers of whites still outperform all racial groups. These results are consistent with national statistics indicating the persistence of racial segregation. According to Golash-Boza, a 2001 study reveals that 88 percent of schools that were 90 percent non-white were also a majority-poor schools, with over 50 percent of the student body living below the poverty line.
My personal story illustrates how
white students still outperform their peers within a school with a high level
of racial segregation. Some might explain this achievement gap as result of
parental socioeconomic status or tracking. According to the census, in Madera
only 9 percent of persons aged 25 or above had a bachelor’s degree throughout
2008- 2012. It is possible that parental socioeconomic status explains this
achievement gap. Tracking is also another possible explanation for this
achievement gap. The annual report claims that only 3 percent of the student
body at Madera South was placed in AP courses. In fact, during the 2011-2012
school year only 19 percent of the student who graduated completed the required
courses for UC/ CSU admission. The reality is that high levels of racial
segregation in schools have devastating impacts for racial minorities.
Educational inequalities are
exacerbated by the policies that nurture exiting racial ideologies. Racial
ideologies are inherent in laws because they manifest the legacy of white
supremacy. Laws reinforce the existing unequal power structure because they
were originally established for a white dominant society. Although laws have
ended overt racism, there are still laws that target certain racial groups. Racism
is rooted in the exploitation, marginalization, and dehumanization of people of
color. This marginalization is justified because those who benefit prefer the
status quo and do not see race as an issue. Many are reluctant to discuss the
legacy of white supremacy because racism is portrayed as overt acts or practices.
However, the most disastrous consequences come from racism that cannot be seen.
This type of racism is masked and reinvented as an ideology that manifests the
interest and well being of the general public. If racism is recognized as an
individual phenomenon then society fails to see how this is a systemic
issue.
Links
This was really interesting to read. The last sentence of your first paragraph cuts off randomly, so just look over that before you submit it. You should also add the link to the book site so you get full points for the statistic. This was really well written so good job!
ReplyDeleteI found your reading to be very interesting as I can relate to it. I also come from a very racially segregated community in Los Angeles so I understand what being uncomfortable around too many whites can feel like. I appreciate your statistics but like the comment above I agree you should make sure to add links so you can receive full credit. Good job overall :)
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