The Impact that Race and Class has on Wealth America is a place of potential opportunity and success. There is a possibility of prosperity for everyone, no matter one’s race, social class, or ethnicity. However, success is more easily achievable for white Americans. People of color in America have struggled for centuries with housing, jobs and education all due to their race. Even though it is not just, white Americans have had the upper hand simply because of their skin color. In today’s society, race, and social class both play a major role in attaining wealth. Donald Trump is the perfect example of a version of the American Dream. He grew up with family money and had always been supported. He graduated from University of Pennsylvania’s …show more content…
To no one’s surprise, most Americans are aware that education is a necessity in life. Not only does it allow one to further their knowledge, but it can offer freedom from anything holding them back, like poverty. A bar graph statistic from the Congressional Budget Office found that people with their Master’s degree between ages of 45-54 years old make $130,000, whereas high school graduates between the same ages only make about $70,000 (Dent). Even though America offers some of the best education in the world, many do not realize the impact that social class has on one’s education. Whereas most other nations fund their schools equally, America spends much more on the more affluent districts. For example, “the wealthiest 10 percent of U.S. school districts spend nearly 10 times more than the poorest 10 percent, and spending ratios of 3 to 1 are common within states” (Darling-Hammond). In wealthier, suburban areas, most students have the resources available to benefit their educational needs, including; projectors, computers, and calculators. In contrast, “at MacKenzie High School in Detroit, word processing courses are taught without word processors because the school cannot afford them” (Darling-Hammond). For students coming out of lower income communities, it is more difficult for them to attend college, or excel because of the lack of academic preparation. Now not only are many Americans not getting a good education, but as a …show more content…
While there are many factors that add up to the gap between the rich and the poor, education certainly plays a major role. Today, it is likely that if you do not graduate from a bachelor’s-degree program, it will be much more difficult to find a high paying job. Higher education is also considered one the most beneficial ways to get out of poverty. Not only is college important for becoming wealthy, but it also affects the country's success. Laura Perna, the executive director of AHEAD, states that, “Society also benefits when more individuals complete higher levels of education. When college attainment improves, the tax base increases, reliance on social welfare programs declines, and civic and political engagement increases” (White). Even though it may seem obvious, in most cases it truly is very important to have a degree to be able to become successful. Despite some arguing against this, it comes down to the basics. A degree from higher education automatically gives that person an advantage in life. Whether it helps with job applications, housing, or just relief from worrying about money, an education is not just beneficial but becoming almost a necessity. A recent study from the Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education found that, “In 2013, Americans in the highest-income bracket, defined as those households that made over $108,650 in 2012, were more than eight
The American education system provides less resources and inexperienced teachers to schools with low-income students, which are said to be mainly African American and Latino. This continuing inequality has detrimental effects on society. In 2013, only 66 percent of African American graduated on time, while 83 percent of White students finished high school in four years. These facts undermine our core beliefs about education and equality. It also undermines our national ability to be competitive in the global
“Education is the key to success” is a common phrase said by many of our millennial cohorts. The idea that education is a critical component of acquiring an eminent lifestyle has dated back since premodern times. Individuals are now constantly enrolling in postsecondary institutions in hopes of attaining endless opportunities along with the implied benefits that results from a college degree. Nevertheless, a college education is, unfortunately, not accessible to all people. In “The Diploma Divide,” Kassie Bracken explores the major disparity among low income students and their affluent counterparts on obtaining a postsecondary degree in the U.S. With the employment of an alluring appeal to one’s emotions, a use of despondent word choices to establish a dispirited ambience, and a distinguished platform to elucidate the author’s thoughts, Kassie effectively promoted her argument on how a college education is not attainable for all individuals.
Education, wealth and assets, and labor and market opportunities has always been unequally divided between Caucasian and African Americans. African Americans do not amass huge sums of money, they own less property and receive unequal educational opportunities. These disparities have landed African Americans in the low socio-economic class. Trying to narrow the economic gap between White and Black Americans, policies such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and Welfare Policies were implemented. This essay will highlight how education, wealth and assets and labor market opportunities contribute to the economic gap in America.
The first discussion of this course we have covered, we learned race is a social construction. According to Snip, he explained why he believes that race is a social construction; he argued that race is being used to pursue social class and political desires. Throughout the history race has changed from time to time. In the context of the United State race was used for assigned people based on their skin color then it become matter of personal identification. The book explains the concept of race, as this “Racialization is the social process by which a racial group identity is attached to a group and that is placed in a race-based social hierarchy.”
Inequality in America is creating trouble to the lives of Americans. Education is one of the most important subjects in America today. Education is material that can allow children and even adults to become successful in life. Paul Krugman writes, “… middle-class families buy houses
Race in America today are mixed up between all different types of people. Most people that come to America from different countries are mostly a different race rather than white. Well in today 's world it With social media and other uses of the internet, people have begun to voice their frustrations with the social injustice in America. Over the past year they 're have been a numerous amount of times where people being detained by cops are shot not because of excessive force of not complying with officers but because they where black people with black skin. America is place where we are supposed to have freedom and rights to do things if we want to or not.
The American public school system is arguably weak when compared to other countries, but it still functions to educate the public. The issue of inequality arises when it comes to higher education and who has access to it. Due to higher education costing anywhere from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in the United States, it is easy to see why there is an unequal level of access to higher education. Some might argue that higher education is not necessary and that the poor can find a living without it. This is not only restricting the poor to the lower class, but is simply not true.
In recent years, the economy and job outlook has become super competitive throughout the States. With so many people seeking and applying for the same job, employers can only afford to hire a very small amount of people. As a result, they choose the best qualified applicant, which most likely means the applicant with the highest education. With competition increasing exponentially, it is becoming more and more difficult to find, let alone keep a job. That is why college is a necessity in today’s society.
While white people did not face the same discrimination or challenges as African Americans and immigrants, but they still faced economic inequality. Despite these obstacles many African Americans, immigrants, and white people faced, continued to pursue their American Dream. They created opportunities for themselves and their families. According to Smith (2017): “Whites (41%) are most likely than Blacks (17%) or Hispanics (32%) to say they have achieved the American Dream. But more blacks (62%) and Hispanics (51%) than whites (42%) say they are on their way to achieving it.
Schools servicing low income students are being shortchanged districts disproportionately distribute funds. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Education, “The analysis of new data on 2008-09 school level expenditures show that many high-poverty schools receive less than their fair share of state and local funding, leaving students in high-poverty schools with fewer resources than schools attended by their wealthier peers.” Providing more resources and a better education for students in wealthier areas not only increases the achievement gap, but it increases the social status gap in America. While the nation acknowledges that inequality is an issue, proper action is not being taken. Until this issue is seriously addressed and action is taken, and poorer schools are provided the necessary tools to succeed, the public school system in America will not have the opportunity to produced skilled
Inequality is an issue in the current American society and it is widely existing in every aspect of the society. The question why the education inequalities are still exacerbated today by racial segregation and concentrated poverty in many American schools. The evidence provided in the book “Savage Inequality”, written by the Jonathan Kozol in 1991. This book addresses the disparities in the education funding and discusses the difference of the education quality between urban schools and suburban schools. This book is based on Kozol’s two years observation of public school and interviews with students, teachers, and parents in Mississippi, Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., and San Antonio.
“Until we get equality in education, we won’t have an equal society.” (Justice Sonia Sotomayor) Public education in the United States is intended to provide quality education to all students, therefore, providing all children with the chance to pursue academic success and lifelong opportunities. However, the educational experiences and the quality of education that students in the United States receive are often far from equal. While many factors impact the educational experiences of students, there is one factor that warrants deep examination: socioeconomic status. The discussion of socioeconomic status and its relationship to education has been one that many have struggled to come to a consensus on.
Living where we live, you begin to comprehend that living off of $11.00 per hour including with your family will never suffice your needs. Getting a college degree can ensure the graduate a higher chance of being able to earn more financially. In the article “Why College Isn't And Shouldn't Have to be For Everyone” by Robert Reich, he states that “A degree from a prestigious university can open doors to elite business schools and law schools-and to jobs paying hundreds of thousands, if not millions. ”Even though Reich’s article is on the opposing side of the argument, he fails to overlook the fact that in the long run having a college degree will, and can open doors to many new opportunities. One of those opportunities is to be able get a well paying job that can earn more than the average non college graduate.
It is easy to think college is not worth the cost to become better, but getting educated makes people better, and happier in the future and sometimes even in better health (Leonhardt 25 ). Becoming a better and happier person is good for everyone. Even former President Obama says “‘Education helps us be better people. It helps us be better citizens. You came to college to learn about the world and to engage with new ideas and to discover the things you 're passionate about -- and maybe have a little fun’”
Nicholas Kristof once said, “Inequality causes problems by creating fissures in societies, leaving those at the bottom feeling marginalized or disenfranchised.” Education in America today is seen as inefficient, divided, and flawed, but people still fight for education because it is an influential tool. Some may say “tracking” is effective for education and others may think “tracking” can lead to inequality. Some popular assumptions about why some students succeed and others do not is because the students who are privileged get a better education than the lower-class students.