Just read an interesting article about the struggles that public schools in Cambridge, Massachusetts are having with achieving racial integration by attempting to use economic status rather than race as a variable. Here's a taste of the article:
"Even the best social engineering ideas get circumvented by people," said Scott Blaufuss, a stay-at-home father in Cambridge. "People tend to vote with their feet. If they don't like it, they leave."
Student achievement has risen in most schools, and schools' percentage of low-income families now range between 28 percent and 62 percent, better reflecting the district average. But white families have left many schools that received more low-income students.
"Some schools are predominantly minority and some people aren't looking for that," said Kenneth E. Reeves, Cambridge mayor and chairman of the school committee. "By the time some touring parents hit the classrooms, they are ready to go. There is a kind of tipping point." (Read the whole article here)
"What profit is there in agreeing that universal friendship is good, and talking of the solidarity of the human race as a grand ideal? Unless these thoughts are translated into the world of action, they are useless. The wrong in the world continues to exist just because people talk only of their ideals, and do not strive to put them into practice. If actions took the place of words, the world's misery would very soon be changed into comfort. If I love you, I need not continually speak of my love -- you will know without any words. On the other hand if I love you not, that also will you know -- and you would not believe me, were I to tell you in a thousand words, that I loved you. People make much profession of goodness, multiplying fine words because they wish to be thought greater and better than their fellows, seeking fame in the eyes of the world. My hope for you is that you will ever avoid tyranny and oppression; that you will work without ceasing till justice reigns in every land, that you will keep your hearts pure and your hands free from unrighteousness."
(Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 16)
Baha'u'llah put's it this way:
"Say: Beware, O people of Baha, lest ye walk in the ways of them whose words differ from their deeds. Strive that ye may be enabled to manifest to the peoples of the earth the signs of God, and to mirror forth His commandments. Let your acts be a guide unto all mankind, for the professions of most men, be they high or low, differ from their conduct. It is through your deeds that ye can distinguish yourselves from others."
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 305)
It is easy to make grand professions of a belief in racial equality, to go to the annual Martin Luther King Day breakfast or even to publicly vent righteous anger at this or that racial injustice. It's the quiet moments of moral reasoning that are the hard ones, deciding where to live, where to send the kids to school, who those kids will or will not be allowed to date, who we invite to break bread at our dinner tables.
Another thing that I rarely hear in the discussion of the merits of integration, is the benefit to white children. Until a child joins the workforce full time, most of their waking hours are spent in school or at school related activities. If that child does not spend that time learning to form meaningful relationships across the color line based on unity and equality, when and where are they going to learn it? This cannot be learned reading books or watching public television. We are failing the white children of America by not preparing them to participate effectively in a global society in which the vast majority of human beings are black and brown. Integration has never just been about children of color and it is only our spiritual blindness that leads us to believe otherwise.
My friend you have hit the "nail on the head"....
ReplyDeleteto put it in "American Terms"...
PUT UP or SHUT UP!!
This is an interesting challenge in America, and no doubt other societies across the world.
ReplyDeleteI teach where I grew up, a small town with one school. When I grew up it was not a racially or culturally very diverse town but now it is more diverse and the school reflects that. This is one thing that I love about my school. We have the whole community represented as there is nowhere else to go unless parents move away or send children to boarding school.
I know what you mean about learning about social relationships. I think I got a small headstart with Bahai children's class but I am still able to unwittingly put my foot in my mouth and give offence although I never intend to.
I know that one issue in the UK has been the predominance of white female teachers in the primary schools. There has been a feeling that for some black boys there is a lack of a role model/ person to be identified with within the school system.
This post seems be very much related to 'what kind of witness am I'?
ReplyDeleteI could be wrong, but I do find it a little sad that some Friends who will go travel teaching, even pioneering, to remote areas will not set foot in American inner cities. It is not something I usually dwell on, as it's my understanding that we should not look to or criticize others, but rather look to the Writings and the example of 'Abdu'l-Baha and rise to action ourselves.
The Master, our Exemplar, spent time every day ministering to those in need, many if not most of whom would never become Baha'is.
Connected with your comments about the benefits of integration for white Americans: It's been my personal experience that I have learned things I never could have learned through service in these areas, and forming close friendships with people whose life experiences were initially so different than mine.
I also wonder if many Friends realize that there is much receptivity to the Faith, as well as tremendous need for so much, in areas where people are deprived of most of what the rest of America takes for granted--provided, of course, one approaches with a sincere heart, humble spirit, and willingness to learn.
Phillipe, I do understand your conundrum. Many African-Americans have noted that in the days of strict segregation, young people grew up with everyone else who was African American--including the doctors, lawyers, teachers among them. These folk had no choice but to stay in thier communities. Now people with an educational and/or economic leg up move to areas where they can offer more to their own children. So young African Americans in the inner cities are now growing up bereft of these role models, and is it any wonder things keep getting worse?
I'm not suggesting we go back to the segregated era, just commenting that integration itself has not really taken place, nor is it, in isolation, the solution to the social, economic and spiritual crisis in inner cities--or anywhere else. And that as Baha'is those of us who feel moved to do so should definitely do some kind of work in these inner cities, and find ways to diffuse the divine fragrances that are suitable.
And, yes "let deeds, not words be your adorning", along with the fate of "he whose words exceed his deeds" are thoughts we should ponder daily.
Sorry, the doorbell went and I forgot to sign my post (2nd one)
ReplyDeletePauline
Thanks Judith and Pauline, you are both reliable commentors!
ReplyDeleteThis issue does not have easy answers, but this article I think proves that love cannot be legislated. We can do our best at social engineering our way into a new kind of world, but ultimately a change must happen in the heart that is reflected in new kinds of moral reasoning and behavior. This is true of all people, not just those who are white. Laws and policies can create opportunities for this to happen, but they cannot make it happen. True religion has the power to transform both the individual and the social order which is why it is important to try and understand what religion really is about.
I Believe that Bahá'u'lláh said it best when he said that...."Religion is, verily, the chief instrument for the establishment of order in the world, and of tranquillity amongst its peoples. The weakening of the pillars of religion hath strengthened the foolish, and emboldened them, and made them more arrogant. Verily I say: The greater the decline of religion, the more grievous the waywardness of the ungodly. This cannot but lead in the end to chaos and confusion. Hear Me, O men of insight, and be warned, ye who are endued with discernment!"
ReplyDelete(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 27)"
Because Religion[for lack of a better word for it] addresses what is inside of a persons' heart...you can have all the science in the world and attempt to calculate the length width and depth of a thing but does not address HOW you look at something
also another problem is that the label "religion" has negative images...too many people confuse religion with dogma...they think that dogma=religion and they are NOT EXACTLY the same.... they might be similar in appearance but when you LOOK REAL CLOSELY under the perverbial microscopy there are MAJOR DIFFERENCES...
ReplyDeleteit is similar to testing the difference between Iron Pyrite[fools-Gold] and the actual element GOLD[Au on the periodic chart]
Cambridge probably isn't as liberal as it thinks. You make a good point about commitment to principle. It's easier said than done to put your child in a school with a large number of children of color. Conventional wisdom tells us that schools with children of color are failing and most parents don't want their child to fail. Plus, I feel like I read somewhere that the tipping point is when a community exceeds 30% people of color. After that, folks start to get uncomfortable. I remember how in my own high school experience, I was bused out to a predominantly white suburb. Even though a percentage of black and Latino children were bused in, most were not seen in the Honors or AP classes. Only myself and one other black girl were in those classes. Everyone else was in something called "assurance", basic or regular levels of class. So even though there was technically integration, there really wasn't.
ReplyDeleteLiz, I had a similar experience, for most of my schooling especially after elementary school I was on the black child in my class. I was the "integration" if you will. So you could say there is separate and unequal, but there is also together and still unequal. Both blacks and whites have significant changes in character to undergo in order for us to witness real racial unity and justice in America.
ReplyDeleteSomething about this strikes right at my heart. This issue speaks to the separation between us in a very clear way, and demonstrates the insidious nature of systemic racism. Through amassing these individual choices, we find these patterns of behavior that continue to perpetuate racism.
ReplyDeleteDavid D's post here relates: http://correlating.blogspot.com/2007/07/on-blogging-habits-and-unintended.html
"Stereotypes abound where there is distance," wrote bell hooks, and the more we keep ourselves separate, the further we are from...well, unity. and justice, peace, realizing the Kingdom of God on earth, etc.
Mainly, Phillipe, this comment is an "mmmhmmm!" and a public acknowledgement of the pangs - paings - I'm feeling in my heart having read this post.
The course of action I can see (not having children) is to nurture community by visiting and getting to know each other. Lots of home visits, taking us into people's houses, showing us other people's lives, crossing boundaries like nothing else. Oh, and getting over ourselves, as per Shoghi Effendi's guidance, which I think you discussed in an earlier post.
Anyone out there in Boston area want to get together and hang out?
Liz I am familiar with Sister to Sister, though I don't hear much about it these days. Are you involved? God willing efforts like that will blossom, I've heard there is something new happening in the Southern states that focuses on black girls.
ReplyDeleteNegin, you are such a sincere soul and I agree, it's the everyday actions that will ultimately change things at the grassroots. Keep it up and I hope to see you and Lev very soon, perhaps at the next devotional at the Baha'i Center.
No, not involved in Sister to Sister. I also haven't heard much about it lately. I think it's great if something is happening focusing on black girls. Thank goodness.
ReplyDelete