African American Studies

American citizens enjoy many freedoms; a right to life, the pursuit of happiness, and the chance to earn a decent education. That is, unless you are a minority citizen. Although America is a country that projects equal rights and treatment, there remains an underlying oppression which minorities face every day of their lives. African Americans have faced the worst racism in the nation's history and even today our education system continues to suppress their ability to succeed. The education system is wrought with prejudices from poor schools in African American communities, racist based standardized tests, and government programs that breed racism.

Many African American Students living in inner-cities are further disadvantaged from poor school systems or non-existent enrichment programs. In the economy today, the school system is facing harsh budget cuts and restraints. There have been many school closings and thus increased the student to teach ratio. This influx reduces the amount of quality time that teachers have to spend with students. Summer vacation is also a poses a detriment to the education stimulation of students. Wealthier students, who have access to enrichment programs or meaningful family vacations, do not suffer from detrimental summers. However, many inner-city African American students have no access to summer enrichment programs and spend their summers watching television. Because of summer break, disadvantaged students fell nearly three grade levels behind by the time they reached the ninth grade (Drehle ,36). This lapse in education can be mended by lengthening the school year or through school enrichment programs. Both aspects require funds that the budget cannot compensate for. On top of the poor school system, African American educational achievements are further stifled through standardized tests.

The standardized tests used by America's education system are designed to gauge the cultural background of the white majority. Many will argue that standardized tests are color blind and measure a student's knowledge on the subject, but history shows otherwise. Carl Brigham, who wrote a book discussing the negative impacts of "incorporating the Negro into our racial stock," became the director of testing for the College Board. Relying on this research of Army mental tests and other racist classification texts, he developed the SAT test (Reverse Racism.) The results of this blatant racism in standardized testing are evident in the 8th grade test scores receive by African Americans. Regardless of social or economic standings, African American students fail standardized tests around 40% more than white students (standardized tests, 14). Although African American students do not fare as well as white students on standardized test, the government has a policy to help further African Americans.

Affirmative Action is a program designed to end discrimination and to