Lately, I have found myself talking to a variety of people about the status of the economy. Of course, I cannot escape commenting on the state of our educational system. When I read about what's going on in schools and inside of the classroom, I cannot help but run into statistics about poverty or economically disadvantaged children. There is so much out there about children and the lack of money. For the record, the lack of money has nothing to do with the development of brain cells. Now, some can argue that if a woman has proper care during pregnancy, then the likelihood of her having a normal healthy child increases. Given that, labels do nothing but retard the advancement of our educational system.
There is only answer to the poverty issue - empathy.
A while back, Tyra Banks performed a very brave feat. She hired a professional makeup artist to create a "fat suit" for her. She wore the suit for one day and went about her daily routine. She said at the end of the day, she was in tears. The looks of admiration she was used to getting turned into looks of disdain. She said that she was devastated. There have been several cases where judges have forced slum lords to live in their own apartments. Nothing beats first hand experiences.
Poverty is a condition. It may be temporary or not. It certainly does not limit a person from learning. But, the attitude of how we view "poor" people is what keeps them suppressed.
When natural disasters strike, one of the first line of defenses is to send money. The victims of these disasters can tell you that it takes a lot more to replace what they lost than just receiving money. Money is not the answer to every problem.
It will take serious work to change how we view teaching children of "lesser" means.
Empathy - what would it do for us? Well, walking in another person's shoes could make all the difference in the world. It would certainly help us "tolerate" other people. It would certainly help us see the world from a different perspective. Our eyes would be opened. It would help us to teach all children equally.
Too may people (and organizations) are capitalizing on the "poverty" issue. There are consultants, consultants for the consultants, more consulting, software, web sites - and the list goes on and on.
Studies have already debunked the myth that poverty has any connection to the ability to succeed. What turns children around from success is deliberate notions of labeling. Children don't like labels. Labels box in innovation and creativity into a corner. And, children don't like that.
It's up to the forward thinkers to correct the problem of learning in schools.
Empathy is not to be taken lightly. In order for a white person to understand what an African American person experiences on a daily basis, he would have to take on being African American. It would definitely be humbling. It's not so fantastic when (as an African American) you are turned down from a job merely on the basis of skin color instead of qualifications. This is happening everyday. It's 2011 people!
An undercover camera followed a white couple in an upscale bridal store. The couple was met with a gracious greeting and given two glasses of champagne. At the same store, an African American couple entered. This couple was not greeted, not given glasses of champagne, and followed throughout the store. After a brief cold shoulder, the African American couple left the store.
What is it that makes us perpetuate this notion of "difference?"
It's not the notion of poverty at all. That is a mere smoke screen. The deeper problem lies with how we view people and our notion of categorizing them into painted squares. Lord forbid, someone move from their designated square. We must let go of these old ways of thinking if we are to eliminate poverty and equalize how children are educated in our culture.
Otherwise, we'll just be broke hypocrites!
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