The century of segregation that followed emancipation had as its main goals preventing the repair of the damage caused by slavery and maintaining a social system that continued to discriminate against African-Americans long after nominal freedom was attained. We are but a few decades past those sorry times. Remarkable progress has been made. The very concepts of race and ethnicity are changing with incredible speed in American society. However, we are not yet at the point where the playing field is completely level for all Americans.
Education is one key to opportunity.
The playing field will not be level until every child has access to a quality education. Return to main commentary. All rights reserved.