Housing Discrimination in the 1900's

American Housing Discrimination in the 1900's

Figure 1. Analogy of Discrimination

Howdy partner! I’m your fellow cowboy Dan! Now I know what might come to your head when you think of a cowboy, but I’m not your stereotypical cowboy. I’m more of a modern cowboy, and I don’t hate any Indians just so you know. In fact, I am here to share some history with you. Have you ever wondered what us cowboys argued with the Indians over? Long ago when the ‘old’ cowboys discovered the Indians, there was a disagreement on what land belonged to who. This disagreement was so upsetting, because they both refused to share land since they had different skin colors. Long after that, but not long ago there was a similar incidence between the Caucasians and Minorities in the United States of America. Caucasian is a term used for people with ‘white’ skin color. Since they are the majority population, any other race is considered the minority. This disagreement was less extreme than what happened between the cowboys and Indians, but it is still very similar. I am here today as your fellow cowboy to share with you some history behind the discrimination against minorities in the 1900’s.

Figure 2. Painting of Franklin D. Roosevelt

The Great Depression was a time of sadness in the 1920’s when unemployment rate was at an all time high (1). This meant a lot of Americans had no jobs to supply their families with what they needed and it was a terrifying time, but when it ended there was a great uproar in hope. The sudden hope was driven by the president at the time, Franklin D. Roosevelt. President Roosevelt introduced a collection of ideas that made up what is called the New Deal. Basically, the New Deal was meant to make it easier for the people to purchase new homes for a cheaper price (1). Therefore, many of the people in America with little money had more opportunity to supply their families with homes. This sounded like a great step forward for Americans, but it also marked the beginning of a new cowboy and Indian argument.

Figure 3. Example of Housing Discrimination

Many minorities at the time were excited for the New Deal just as everyone else was, but when they looked to pursue their dreams like their Caucasian neighbors, they were presented with a big problem. When minorities across the country went to buy these new homes they were told it was not allowed simply because of their skin color (2). This was a confusing and upsetting thing to hear since many of those minorities were also World War II Veterans (3). Can you imagine going shopping for the new toy you’ve been dying to get your hands on? Just to finally get your hands on it as you bring it to the register, only for the cashier to tell you no because the color of your skin? It is pretty insane to think there was practically another cowboy and Indian argument less than 100 years ago!

As the modern cowboy I am today, I do not agree with the cowboy and Indian argument many years ago. I also don’t agree with this recent dispute, but it is very important to keep this history in the back of our minds! Many of us cowboys didn’t see another argument coming, but it can happen at anytime. I hope you keep this in mind, because I don’t think we need anymore arguments over skin color in the future! I’m your fellow cowboy Dan, and don’t be afraid to share this incredible and shocking history with someone you know!

References

(1) United States History.(n.d.). The New Deal. Retrieved from https://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1851.html

(2) Lambert, B. (1997, December 28). At 50, Levittown Contends With Its Legacy of Bias. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/28/nyregion/at-50-levittown-contends-with-its-legacy-of-bias.html

(3) Loewen, J. W. (2015). Sundown Towns. A hidden dimension of American racism . Retrieved from https://sundown.tougaloo.edu/sundowntowns.php

Figure 1. https://www.bizlibrary.com/weekly-video-highlight/rid-company-culture-of-disrespect-and-discrimination/

Figure 2. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Franklin-D-Roosevelt

Figure 3. https://changefromwithin.org/2011/08/03/privilege-and-housing-discrimination/

Your Protectors

The Heroes without powers.

Police officers are heroes just like Superman and Batman, but without powers. Police officers are people that can help you especially if you are in trouble. However, just like superheroes, some police officers make bad decisions, just like the Hulk. The Hulk was a hero who helped save the world. After he did that, he got mad and tried to hurt the people of Earth. Just like him, some officers have hurt people and it caused families to get angry at all police officers.  

Why this happens.

Police officers should not scare you or make you nervous. You should always feel comfortable around them. Police officers are good people who sometimes make bad choices. Some people think it has to do with the color of their skin, or what they were wearing, or even who their friends are. The term used for that is Racism. That is what makes some people so mad when a police officer hurts or can even kill someone. Sometimes police officers are put into bad situations and they get scared of what could happen to them. So when they get scared, they can sometimes hurt someone really badly, and the fact that they can make that decision scares people. Sometimes if a person dies because of what a police officer did, he/she gets in trouble, but sometimes they don’t, and that is when people begin to get mad and try to get justice for what the police officers did. It is okay to get sad or upset after a police officer hurts someone else because most of the time it’s wrong. But you need to show your sadness and anger in a peaceful way. You can’t be mean or rude to a police officer just because another person who has the same job as him/her did something bad. Not all police officers are bad and not all police officers are scary. 

What to Remember

Before these officers became a policeman, they were a person, and they still are a person who just has a harder job than most of our moms and dads. They make decisions that can change both their lives and the lives of other people. Those decisions could be as simple as if they arrest someone or pull someone over while they are driving, but they also get more difficult like if they have to hurt or kill someone so that they do not get hurt. When a police officer gets the feeling that they might get hurt or killed, they are supposed to make sure that the person they are confronting does not have any weapons on them. Sometimes they do have a weapon on them, but sometimes they don’t. A lot of the time, when people get shot they do not have a weapon on them, but the officer thinks that they do. This is another reason why people are afraid of police officers and the power they have on someone’s life.  

Why We Shouldn't be afraid

Police officers do not want you to be afraid of them; they want you to follow all the laws that the people in charge set so that we can all be safe. Just like in school, our teachers have rules for the classroom that you have to follow, so do police officers. The rules police officers want you to follow are more strict and important than your classroom rules, but those rules are still super important. If you follow all the laws, then you will not have a problem with police officers. However, if you break a law or do something you’re not supposed to do, then you can get in serious trouble and even get arrested. Police officers have feelings like being scared or angry or happy and sad just like all of us. However, when they are put in the situations they sometimes get into, they make quick decisions that are sometimes not the right ones. But they do what they can to stay safe just like they try to make everybody else safe.

References

“Diana Bee Dash Bee Tries Really Hard .” Diana Bee Dash Bee Tries Really Hard, Aug. 14AD, 2014, beedashbee.com/category/police-brutality/.

Lopez, Stephanie. “Durham Police Officers Pass out Freeze Pops to Kids.” ABC11 Raleigh-Durham, WTVD-TV, 23 June 2016, abc11.com/news/durham-police-officers-pass-out-freeze-pops-to-kids/1398605/.

“Resources for Youth & Children .” Toolkit , Rochester Racial Justice Toolkit, 2016, thetoolkit.wixsite.com/toolkit/for-youth-children-1.

Taylor, Jeff, and Rebecca Carrell. “This Fort Worth Officer Is A Real-Life Superhero.” 90.9 KCBI FM, www.kcbi.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/fort-worth.jpg.

Gang Membership

Figure 1: Mayor Doug

Gangs and the Youth

Hey kids! I'm Doug, your community's Mayor, and as your Mayor it is my job to make sure you kids have a bright future. To succeed in doing my job, I need stop kids like you from joining gangs, or organized groups of criminals. How you may ask? Well let me begin.

So first we have to figure out why kids like you grow up joining gangs. A big reason kids join gangs is out of boredom. Now I know how kids are, you love getting into mischief when you're bored, and that's exactly why some kids join these gangs. When a child grows up in an urban neighborhood that's full of gangs and nothing else, the child is bound to grow up joining these gangs. Urban neighborhoods and communities tend to not have much to do in them considering they do not have a lot of money for other forms of entertainment, so children will see these gangs as all they can do for fun. Obviously this is a big problem and it won't get better over time. When a child grows into an adult and is still a gang member, his or her's child will likely become part of that same gang. It is all a large cycle which is why it is my duty to make it stop.

Figure 2: Jail Cell

Here's why gangs are bad for you kids. Joining a gang itself requires you to steal, be beaten up by the rest of the gang, or stuff that's even worse. Everyday you have to commit some sort of illegal task like selling drugs or committing more theft. Gang members never have bright futures and may even end up in jail or dead. Ex-gang members even struggle with making relationships and being financially stable in the future. No one wants to have a sad and difficult life in their future, so trust me kids, the gang life is not for you and it shouldn't be the choice for anyone. 

Figure 3: Playground

So what's my plan on how to stop this? Well, I'm simply going to give you kids something to do (1). I am going to have construction for multiple entertainment centers begin and I will have your schools create more clubs and teams so you children never get bored! Soon you'll be able to go to the movie theaters, recreational centers, restaurants, playgrounds, and more! With all these new things to do, you kids will never get bored, and hopefully never turn to mischief and gangs. That's all from Mayor Doug right now, I hope to see you kids having tremendous fun in the short future and always remember, stay away from gangs!


References
Figure 1. [Untitled image of Cartoon Mayor] [digital image] (2018). Retrieved from https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/illustration/cartoon-mayor-royalty-free-illustration/165958991

Figure 2. Sutherland, R. [Untitled image of Jail Cell] [digital image] (2014). Retrieved from https://www.spectator.co.uk/2014/02/what-i-learned-in-a-qatari-jail-cell/

(1) Grabianowski, E. (2006, September 26). How Street Gangs Work. Retrieved from https://people.howstuffworks.com/street-gang2.htm

Figure 3. A gift to the community: New SAU playground opens up [digital image]. (2017). Retrieved from https://web.saumag.edu/news/2017/gift-community-new-sau-playground-opens-friday-noon/

Big Bad Wolf Gang

         Big Bad Wolf Gang

Image 1

 One day Little Red Riding Hood(1) was walking in the forest to her grandmother's house. She had a basket with some bread and candy to cheer up her sick grandma. As she was walking along she heard some rustling in the bushes behind her. She got a bit scared and started to walk faster.

Image 2

Little Red Riding Hood kept walking but, was met with her path being split(2), either she could go right or left. SUDDENLY, the Big Bad Wolf(3) jumped from behind a bush and said "come to the left path my dear, I have the medicine for your sick grandmother." Little Red Riding Hood got scared and jumped back. The Big Bad Wolf then said, "Don't be scared my dear I want to help you, I can give you everything your heart desires." Little Red Riding Hood did need help to make her grandmother better, so she asks the Big Bad Wolf, "how can you help make my grandmother better?" Big Bad Wolf replied, 

Image 3

"Well my dear let me show you." He starts to lead Little Red Riding Hood down the left path. 

 As they head down the path Little Red Riding Hood sees all other animals cheering her on as they walk. The surrounding houses are so much bigger and nicer than mine thinks Little Red Riding Hood. Maybe joining the Big Bad Wolf Gang would be good. Wolf leads Little Red Riding Hood over to the Big Bad Cat(4). "Hello my dear I am here to show you all the good the Big Bad Wolf Gang can do for you" says the Big Bad Cat. 

Image 4

The Big Bad Cat continues "We have the medicine your grandmother needs, we can also give you one of our beautiful homes with plenty of room for your family." Cat leads little red around their little town, she sees many of animals talking and exchanging money. Cat then stops to help his friend take a big trash bag out into the back ally. What a helpful town she thinks. Little Red Riding Hood looks around and starts to think about what the Big Bad Cat has offered, but something about these animals didn't seem absolutely nice. She proclaims "But why would you give me all of this for free?" 

Image 5

The Cat and Wolf laughed and say together "Oh no my dear you must give us something in return as well." Little Red Riding Hood(5) knew it was too good to be true so she says "I don't have any money to give you, what else could you possibly want from me." The Big Bad Wolf and the Big Bad Cat look at each other than wolf says "You need to give us your life." Cat chimes in "You will be in the Big Bad Wolf Gang forever, and always have our backs no matter what." Little Red Riding Hood looks at them startled! She thinks, give up my life for this I don't think so, I'll help grandmother out in a good and safe way. The other neighborhood people seems to be getting closer so little red knows she won't be able to just leave. Little Red Riding Hood looks at the Big Bad Wolf and the Big Bad Cat and says "Can I have a minute to think about it?" Wolf responds "I suppose so my dear." 

Image 6

Little Red Riding Hood looks around and sees a gloomy path(6), I need to get there she thinks. The Big Bad Wolf and the Big Bad Cat turn their backs to talk to their friends! Now is my chance, while they're distracted! little red riding hood runs down the path and the village people all yell but the woods are too thick for them to follow her. As Little Red Riding Hood comes to an empty space she sees other villagers but they are living in dirty tents. their clothes are worn and covered in mud. Little Red Riding Hood goes up to a bunny and asks "Why are you all not living like the other villagers?" The bunny responds "They are all a part of the Big Bad Wolf Gang, they take our land and money." 

Image 7

Little Red Riding Hood looks at the bunny with tears in her eyes and says "They offered me such nice things how could they do this to you all." The bunny looks away and responds "That is what happens when a gang forms in parts of the woods." 
Little Red Riding Hood(7) talks to the villagers for a while and learns more about the Big Bad Wolf Gang. After talking little red says "I must go see my grandmother she is very sick and must be very worried about me." The villagers walk away and come back with the medicine her grandmother needs! "I knew I would get what I need in a fair and honest way" Little Red Riding Hood proclaims!

References

(1) Media.gettyimages.com. (2018). little red ridding hood. [online] Available at: https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/vintage-illustration-from-the-fairy-tale-little-red-riding-hood-picture-id566423369?s=612x612 [Accessed 5 Dec. 2018].

(2) Google.com. (2018). big bad wolf. [online] Available at: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjRmKye4IbfAhVkkuAKHeycC74QjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.123rf.com%2Fstock-photo%2Fbig_bad_wolf.html&psig=AOvVaw1kGojZUuMDzhjf04yOobEy&ust=1544032683107367 [Accessed 5 Dec. 2018].

(3) Mollysmith23.files.wordpress.com. (2018). little red ridding hood split path. [online] Available at: https://mollysmith23.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/lrr.jpg [Accessed 5 Dec. 2018].

(4) Google.com. (2018). big bad cat. [online] Available at: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjq3NTq-obfAhXDVN8KHd3GAMIQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fkyliemarie805.wordpress.com%2F2015%2F04%2F15%2Fdisney-animals-list-cats%2F&psig=AOvVaw1U0TxCHYUCRx4h-HR3YWFp&ust=1544039844282768 [Accessed 5 Dec. 2018].

(5) Google.com. (2018). cartoon village. [online] Available at: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi3x_yCwIffAhXkTN8KHczECpAQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapp.emaze.com%2F%40AOWFWZQF%2Flittle-red-riding-hood-and-the-zombie-outbreakpptx&psig=AOvVaw3U8uHCnZzMrYE5cBOjiBY_&ust=1544058421138621 [Accessed 5 Dec. 2018].

(6) Google.com. (2018). gloomy path. [online] Available at: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjrseq9wYffAhVSZKwKHaFCBTUQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fstevenhufnagel%2F16140839907&psig=AOvVaw2sctgn-JOksUcDd3_ucvdd&ust=1544058808234498 [Accessed 5 Dec. 2018].

(7) Google.com. (2018). little red ridding hood last. [online] Available at: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwj3j-LFx4ffAhXLmeAKHW-uCaYQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FLittle_Red_Riding_Hood&psig=AOvVaw3CMFfoU1Noy5KI_FUm2Wz3&ust=1544060424377371 [Accessed 5 Dec. 2018].

why are you taking standardized tests?

 Why are you taking standardized tests?

By the time you entered middle school there is no doubt that you had already been introduced to standardized testing. It probably started around fourth or fifth grade when your teachers started discussing how important it is to do well on these tests. Maybe you were excited to take them, or maybe you were stressed and worried that you weren't going to succeed. One thing is for certain, you were never told why you have to take these tests, even though the seemed so important.

The tests you will be taking over the next several years include an assortment of subjects for you to be tested on. Sometimes these test will have reading and writing while others may include math and science. Depending on the type of test you are taking that year may be a direct result in what you are learning with your teacher. Why you may ask? because they better you do on your standardized tests the more your teachers get paid! Yup, you read that right, your schools test scores have a direct affect on how much money your teachers make, and what types of things you have at your school! 

Standardized testing is not only used to determine the salary your teachers are making, but it also decides how much money your school district is going to receive from the US government. "First, it is important to note that, on average, school districts get about 48% of their funds from the state, about 44% from local sources, and about 8% from the federal government” (1.)This may not seem like a huge deal but without a proper budget some things you take for granted in your school could be gone forever. Does your school have fun extracurriculars like sports and art club? do you have assistants and interpreters for your disabled students? does your school have up to date technologies like laptops or iPads? if so, these are all things that you are allowed to have because your district has enough money to buy them. Many districts around the country don't have the money to fix holes in their roofs let alone pay to buy their students laptops or iPads.  

How do they use your test scores? 

It is quite shocking to realize that your test scores have a direct effect on your teachers' salary and your schools ability to have resources. What is actually more shocking is the way the government uses those scores to divide up the money. Weeks after you have taken your exams, watched your movies and eaten your snacks for reward the exams are graded. You are put into a category of students based upon what grade you received in each section of the exam and overall. Your overall school is taken and compared with other kids in your school to see how you match up to your peers. After that your schools test scores are averaged and used to decide how much money you receive from the government. The better your district preformed on the exams the more money you receive from the government. "NCLB has been criticized by educational organizations who believe that the program represents a misallocation of federal funding. Critics argue that federal funding could be better used to improve pay rates and benefits for teachers, especially since tenure and reappointment are often based on test scores" (2.)This act was signed into action by president George W. Bush in 2002 and is what put standardized testing into action. The president intended for the act to work in favor of the under privileged kids, but it actually did the opposite. It sounds like a great idea in theory but actually just continues to make it harder for kids whose school districts don't get enough money. 

How standardized testing affects underfunded schools?

When the money is given out to the schools it is an exciting time. Maybe your school is adding a new jungle gym, or maybe this year you are able to afford new sports uniforms. For the kids who don't live in these districts life just continues on.

A Public school in Detroit, Michigan (4.)

They very often do not have any of the resources of a wealthier school district. No sports teams, no extra-curricular activities or new technologies. Schools that don't receive a lot money may not even have the funds to fix leaky roofs or broken windows. Could you imagine going to a school with soaking wet floors and no windows? It seems like a farfetched idea for a lot of kids, but to some this is a reality. As reported by the National Education Association, America needs to invest nearly 4.5 million dollars per school in order to bring every school in America up to standard. (3.) This fact is very concerning when talking about the education of our students. Kids your age are the future of this country and it is very important to make sure that you are as educated as you can be with regard to every topic. 

references: 

1. Glass, G. V., & Berliner, D. C. (2014). 50 Myths & Lies That Threaten America’s Public Schools: The Real Crisis in Education. New York: Teachers College Press.

2. Issitt, M. L. M. M. (2018). Standardized testing. Points of View. Retrieved from http://proxy-bloomu.klnpa.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&AN=89158316&site=eds-live&scope=site

3. National Education Association. (n.d.) Education funding and related charts. Conditions of public school facilities. Retrieved from “http://www.nea.org/home/19900.htm”

4. NBC News. (2013). Detroit water woes.