Equity vs. Charity in Education: A Deeper Conversation
In the contemporary landscape of education, there's been a bubbling discourse that's difficult for some to navigate. Having recently engaged in what I've now coined a 'grand conversation' with a group of passionate educators, the complexities between equity and charity in our schools surfaced in a profound manner.
“... charity often pities and inadvertently perpetuates a narrative of ‘lowering the bar’”
Let's take a step back. I've always contended that while our intentions in educating our children might come from a place of goodness, the execution can sometimes be downright abysmal. The repercussions of this misalignment are most severe for our marginalized learners—those of color, from low-income backgrounds, and the oppressed. This is not merely an emotional observation, but one rooted in their lack of access to both in-school and out-of-school resources that would otherwise strengthen their academic journeys.
One could argue that charity and equity share a common intention: to help. However, where charity often pities and inadvertently perpetuates a narrative of ‘lowering the bar’, equity demands that every student be given the tools, opportunities, and respect they need to achieve their fullest potential.
credit: @jontyson
When we mistake charity for equity, we rob students of the 'productive struggle'—a necessary component in building resilience, grit, and true understanding. If my personal academic journey was dictated by others’ fears of making me feel bad or inadequate, my growth would have been stunted.
A few years ago, Oregon decided to amend high school graduation requirements. The state determined that demonstrating literacy and numeracy at a high school level was no longer mandatory. Interestingly, this move was tagged as an 'equitable graduation standard' aimed to benefit students of color.
But is it truly equitable to insinuate that students of color don't require high academic standards? Isn't this just another mask for low expectations, setting these students up for a future with limited opportunities?
Lowering educational standards, while cloaking it in the garb of equity, is nothing but an act of implicit bias and white saviorism against learners of color.
This patronizing stance does not elevate these students. Not in any way.
What it does do is contribute to the cycle of low achievement that perpetuates socio-economic disparities. We see states like Texas and Florida banning books and discussions on race and racism. Florida has effectively banning AP courses on African American history and distorted their Black history standards to a level that can be viewed as nothing but racist propaganda and an effort at indoctrination and erasure.
While this is overtly problematic, it's imperative to understand that subtle acts of implicit biases in our educational institutions can be just as detrimental.
Such moves not only create a disservice to our students but also further alienate them, pushing them to the fringes of society. Whether it's intentional or not, this system prepares students of color for a life where they're constantly struggling against the odds.
In the larger picture, if we're not careful, this charity mindset can turn into a weapon of systemic racism, perpetuating a cycle of underachievement, unemployment, and an over-dependence on public assistance. It also feeds into harmful stereotypes that can further exacerbate the societal divide.
While the charity is born from a genuine place of wanting to help, in the world of education, we must strive for true equity.
True equity equips every student—irrespective of their race, economic background, or any other identity or factor—with the tools, opportunities, and resources they need to thrive and succeed in an ever-evolving world. Anything less is a disservice to our students and our collective future.
Charity in the name of the equity is just the continuation of this country's history of systemic racism. We need to call it what it is.
