how long?

this is a thought in progress...

I was reading the NY TIMES today, and it is so amazing the number of articles that discuss the miracles and triumphs that "inner-city" students (read Black, African-American, Latino, take your pick) manage despite their surroundings and conditioning.

Is it me or do these writers pre-suppose that to be of colour means that one is born with a genetic predisposition for a "hard knock life?" What is becoming clearer to me, as I grow wiser with age, is the fact that desegragation did not address the real issues of this country; ECONOMICS. With all of the new (old) forms of racism (environmental, financial, et. al.) being adopted, thanks to the right-wing occupation, many people of colour seem to accept the way things are without much complaint. And, when there is a complaint it seems to be just empty, hot air.

I thrive on being the kind of instructor who teaches the WHOLE student. I believe that what is missing from 21st century educational institutions is a building up the idea of self-reliance and interdependence. What happens in today's public school, and even proprietary school rooms is this concept of "entitlement without self-responsibility." Historically, oppressed or disenfranchised peoples existed in the throw-away areas of society. So, these articles don't report anything new, the fact there are "havens" or places that produce successful, healthy individuals is the testament to the human spirit and the desire to want more than what is expected. This is self-responsibility.

These are the success stories of the oppressed and disenfranchised, to overcome inspite of...

I guess for me it is realizing the more things change...the more they stay the same. Thus, how long are we going to continue to accept 2nd, 3rd, sub-class citizenship?

how long?