This lesson talked about segregated proms and how we felt about them and if they were necessary. It asked why would some students want segregated proms and why some of the students didn't feel welcome at their proms. Also, we focused on some of the hate groups that are still active today in the state of Georgia, in which I found interesting and awful at the same time.
EDUC 2120 - Lesson 4 – Ethnicity and Race
Why do some students not feel welcome at their high school proms?
Some students may not feel welcome because they may not feel like they fit in with “the crowd”. This doesn’t just apply to race or ethnicity. Many students could feel uncomfortable and/or unwelcome at their school activities. I think the ones who feel the most unwelcome just feel that they are different and others may look at them weird.
What could school officials do to ensure that the needs of a diverse group of students are met at school proms and other school activities?
There may be many things that school officials could do, but the only one I can think of off the top of my head would be that, school officials should attend all school activities and should be diverse themselves. Having a diverse committee along with students, they now have something in common with each other. The diverse teachers could help the diverse students come out of their shells at school proms and activities.
Would you ever be in favor of a segregated prom? Why or why not?
At my old high school we had a private prom and a school prom for years. The private prom was made for everyone to attend, except without getting into prom for free, you had to pay a certain amount for you and your date. A private prom was also so students could get a party bus, whereas the school prom, no party buses were allowed. The school prom was just like it says, a school prom, made for everyone. During my senior year of high school, we had a meeting about prom, whether to keep or get rid of the private prom. We chose to get rid of it, not because it was meant to be segregated, but people took it that way. It was simply meant so people could party on buses afterwards. Everyone was welcome to the private prom, just some people didn’t want to pay to go to their prom. Anyways, we got rid of the private prom because we thought it was better to have the whole school together to experience the prom as a whole. So, would I ever be in favor of a segregated prom? No, because I believe that everyone should feel welcome at their prom, and students should enjoy their high school prom experience together.
Regarding the Hate map, select Georgia in the state text box – a list of current hate groups will be provided. By clicking on some of the hate groups, provide a description of at least two (2) different types of hate groups that are still in existence and why they were formed. You might want to provide a location as well as a description. The response to this question should be at least two (2) full paragraphs.
There are many hate groups in Georgia, but the first one I chose was General Hate. This General Hate group is in Eatonton, Georgia. General Hate is a group with a variety of hateful doctrines and beliefs that aren't easily categorized. Many of these groups sell lots of hate materials to show their hate towards others of different races, ethnicities, religions, etc.
The second group I chose was called Racist Skinhead. Unlike the General Hate group, this one didn't give me a specific area in Georgia where it is at today. If someone happens to be in this hate group, they are also known as the "shock troops". These people are usually bald, with black Doc Martin boots, jeans with suspenders and tons of racist tattoos. Ever since the 1980's, there have been criminal attacks caused by the "shock troops". The violence caused by the skinheads shows no kind of fading. In 1988, there was an Ethiopian student who was murdered. In 1999, a group of skinheads killed a Mexican man. In 2007, a skinhead strangled a 62 year old gay man to death. Racist Skinheads are a regular in prison and juveniles. Now, Skinheads are on the internet trying to recruit young people into their supposed movement. Racist Skinheads also have many terms that they use.
Summary
This lesson just shows how much racist things still go on in America today, in schools and in the real world. It amazes me, really. I was really surprised by the hate groups, especially the Racist Skinheads. I didn't know they even existed, and the sad thing is, they're still here in America trying to recruit younger people.
Research Question
What's segregation like in public schools today?
Research Analysis
Before looking at today's schools, let's look at the past. In 1963, there were only one percent of blacks attending a white school in the South. In 1970, the South had changed, almost 90 percent of blacks were attending white schools in the South. As of today, these percents are reversing.
In the Northeast, segregation has increased. In 1968, it was 42.7 percent and went up to 51.4 percent in 2011. Today, there is a higher percentage that blacks attend hyper-segregated schools. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maryland, and Michigan all have 46 percent or higher, hyper-segregated schools.
Poverty has a lot to do with segregated schools. "School segregation doesn't happen by accident; it flows inexorably from housing segregation." If black American's are living in an all black neighborhood with low poverty levels, they are more likely going to attend a poorer and more segregated school than their white peers.
Research Summary
This lesson opened up my eyes. I knew segregation still existed, but didn't know it was going in reverse. Segregation apparently is still a huge deal today as it was years ago. I honestly don't think it's going to get better either at the rate everything is going. The only thing we can do is hope for the best.