School is a Black-Ass Catch-22
Welcome to the 87th installment of This Black-Ass Life! This week, we’re thinking about how Black babies returning to school or staying in virtual schools are being failed by systems either way. We also talk about “slave yoga,” D’Angelo and the adorable cost of fixing toys.
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I. The Facts
The CDC says that Black and Latinx parents report the highest levels of concern about school reopenings and that makes sense!
First, Black and Latinx people have been disproportionately affected by COVID in infection and mortality rates. It is a rational concern to be nervous about in-person school.
Black kids are missing resources at home though. They are more likely to receive services in school that are difficult to access at home through virtual learning like special needs education, counseling and meals.
Schools that Black children are also significantly more likely to be underfunded (with an estimated $23 billion dollar gap between majority white and majority student of color districts). So parents are asking the right questions about how schools that are lacking funds can safely open with needed tests, screenings, PPE and other school supplies to keep infection rates low and students safe.
And when our babies are in school, they are of course at greater risk of punishment, suspension and being set up on a path to prison. Especially Black girls.
We are not saying virtual learning is the move though. One in three Black, Latinx and Native American students lacks a broadband connection, compared to 1 in 5 white students. Districts also reported failures in receiving funding to supply students with devices needed for online school.
Why does it matter?
It’s a lose-lose situation for parents of Black children. Whether our babies are in school or online, they are being failed by the system for two major reasons: food insecurity and access to quality education.
Also, Black and Latinx children make up the largest percentage of the 3 million students currently missing from the education system. We know this because across the country, millions of students haven’t taken required standardized tests (which are also by the way, very terrible and very racist). For example, 1 in 4 students who typically take one national assessment didn't do so this year.
Pre-COVID, 1 in 4 Black children did not know where their next meal would come from, and sadly, the number of hungry Black children is increasing due to both job loss and virtual learning.
By the way, as of last July, 20% of Black PEOPLE in this country reported not having enough to eat.
What can my Black ass do?
Deep, deep negro sigh. This is not easy. We’re up against systemic racism and an apathetic government that has all but given up. While real change has to happen structurally and systematically at the federal, state and local level, there are a few things we can do individually.
Support efforts that stop the funding of schools with local property taxes.
Give your $$$ to organizations fighting for education equity including Alliance for Educational Justice and Advancement Project and orgs supporting those who are food insecure including Martha’s Table, Capital Area Food Bank and Kids Food Basket.
ll. Other Things
A warning that this is enraging, but apparently there is slave yoga (for and by whites)! This was taught at a SCHOOL for CHILDREN in DELAWARE!
Given movies’ recent focus on Black informants, Michael Harriot wrote a great piece on COINTELPRO and the violent and subversive efforts of the state to dismantle Black liberation movements.
Morehouse is launching an online program for men who have college credits but no degree.
Relax and enjoy D’Angelo’s performance at the Apollo. Come for DJ Scratch’s set and stay for D’Angelo and surprise friends that will have you dancing in your living room.
Jabria is a STAR.
This Twitter thread of Roy Woods Jr. charging his son for fixing his toys is perfect.
Chloe and Halle have never made a mistake. Here’s the Ungodly Hour music video.
Our Black-Ass song(s) of the week (Jumoke):
My current favorite is a year old song by a boy born in 2002 popularized by the tikky tokers. This makes me feel like I’m 47.
Things we are looking forward to / things we are not looking forward to:
I (Mitu) look forward to Coming To America 2. Good or bad, I’m glad we get to return to Zumunda and McDowell’s.
I (Jumoke) also look forward to Coming to America 2, which will not do justice to the first one. You cannot improve on perfection, but I’m excited!!
lll. Text from a Black-Ass Parent
My (Mitu’s) dad sent me a surprise text on Friday that made my whole weekend. I hope all of you reading this have a lovely week!
Stay Black, thrive and send your loved ones surprise kind texts! We’ll hit your inbox next on March 15.