A recent study has indicated that presence (or lack thereof) of African American students is factored in when parents choose which San Francisco school their children will be attending. While some people felt that the results have been sensationalized in the press, a number of teachers working in San Francisco schools have stepped forward to indicate that they have personal knowledge of this fact.

Attendance at San Francisco Schools Should be determined by Neighborhood

For those parents who have concerns about their children attending school with African American students, I would like to know exactly what their concerns are. If they are concerned about the potential for violence at San Francisco schools, they should know that the capacity for violence is not confined to any one race, gender, or age group. The idea that the more African American students in attendance at a particular school, the more likely it is that violence will be a problem is ludicrous.

Instead of letting parents choose which San Francisco schools to send their children to, why not just send them to the one that is the closest to their home? The students get the opportunity to learn at the same school that their friends and neighbors are attending, regardless of race.

San Francisco Schools Would Benefit From a Lesson in Tolerance

I would have thought that most of us have moved beyond the idea that it’s acceptable to stereotype people because of their race, but I have to question that now. Based on this recent study, this problem exists at San Francisco schools. It’s probably not much of a stretch to think that people who live in other school districts might share the same view.

It’s quite unfortunate that these attitudes still exist. Children are not born knowing that they should treat someone who looks different from them any differently; they have to learn it. San Francisco schools have a duty and a responsibility to do whatever they can to create a positive learning environment where everyone is welcome. Parents who insist on getting statistics about breakdown of the student population by race when they are deciding which San Francisco schools they are going to send their children to are teaching their children to be intolerant.

Have you ever noticed that people who are racist don’t want to admit it? This is racism, pure and simple. It’s not about safety or quality of education in San Francisco schools. The first step in dealing with an issue is to call it what it is. How would these parents who have concerns about African American students attending San Francisco schools feel if the shoe was on the other foot? I bet they would find that the idea that other parents had a problem because their children were attending San Francisco schools unacceptable. They would be right.

Author: Patricia Hawke
Article Source: EzineArticles.com