The Kids Aren't Alright: A Lesson in Baltimore City Public Schools
A lesson children should never have to master is learning about the water cycle in a frigid classroom. Yet, here we are in 2018 and Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPSS) are becoming experts in curriculum served over ice. News outlets such as Teen Vogue and The Baltimore Sun are just a few who have recently covered the saddening, and systemic, neglect of students by BCPSS.
The issue of heating systems, however, is not new (as many Baltimore students can tell you). As an alum of BCPSS, I remember wearing winter jackets and coats inside of classrooms as administrators tried to give write-ups for not following uniform policy. So not only were we cold, but we were cold AND facing disciplinary action. The saddest reality: none of us were surprised. In fact, we were more surprised when schools were closed. Imagine the shock of feeling like your humanity is being noticed? The reality of living as black and brown children in American public schools is a waiting game of when others chose to validate your existence.
Do not be fooled into thinking these issues are the product of a cold winter. As Kimberly Mooney points out in Teen Vogue, the issue of failing heating systems is not the beginning of the where Baltimore City has failed public school students. Instead, it is one of many results of poor infrastructure, corrupt politicians, and institutionalized racism. Most BCPSS are underfunded due to the cycle of being disenfranchised in the United States. Simply put, public schools are funded by property taxes of the neighborhoods which surround them. So in Baltimore City, students who live in impoverished neighborhoods are likely to attend an equally impoverished school. Essentially, students are tasked to play a losing game of school funding unless they attend a school in a wealthy neighborhood such as Baltimore's Roland Park community.
This leaves the question: how can we fix it? First, we must dismantle the system-- lots of unlearning, rebuilding, and empowerment. Until then, you can take small steps to support students struggling to learn in a crooked system. By giving to the GoFundMe page and supplying coats you are helping Baltimore City students survive the winter months. In addition, by donating books to Valencia Clay's students you are investing in students' education. In return, Ms. Clay is sending donors a copy of an amazing poster made by the educator herself (shown below).
Avoid leaving your support on the internet. Bring opportunity for supporting public schools students into much needed spaces like their classroom, their bank account, and their resume. An easy step to support public schools is through volunteering. Whether in Baltimore City, Charlotte, or Chicago these students need more help than they are given. Sign up to be a classroom volunteer or to lead a workshop. Own a business or work for a company? Hire public school students for paid internships.
The kids will never be alright if we leave their education in the hands of complacent politicians. I challenge you to act.
Sidenote shoutout to Keombré McLaughlin, a BCPSS alum, for her op-ed in The Baltimore Sun. May Jonathan Tobash rest in power.
