Solving the Problem of Inequality in Higher Education Institutions
“Tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it.” This is a famous quote of Malcolm X. It means that getting a good education is crucial. The rewards of furthering one’s education, particularly at the university level, can be enormous. One’s chances of landing a high-paying job, which in turn leads to a better life, are considerably enhanced by a college education. But the educational system frequently discriminates against minority groups like the African-American population.
College students must be aware of inequality in a variety of contexts. Some crucial factors to consider are:
- accommodation
- educational courses and programs
- equipment
- infrastructure
- teaching-learning techniques
- instructional tactics
- scheduling of seminars and workshops.
But it’s the responsibility of educators to prevent them from interfering with the pursuit of educational objectives by students.
Promoting Equality on Campus
University campuses have a vital role in teaching the next generation. They can make great strides toward creating fair environments for minority students. Here are four ways that universities may actively oppose racism. Read how colleges can work toward creating a more welcoming atmosphere for everybody.
Get Rid of the Racist Silence Culture
There has been a growing need for college administrators to address the still-taboo subjects of racism and racial conflict. Many people nowadays encounter hostility, rage, or disinterest when they try to have conversations on race and racism. One of the key tenets of anti-racism is a willingness to engage in and learn from race-related discussions.
One’s silence and indifference might be read as an indirect endorsement of racism. Sometimes, people even view it as an active participation in discrimination.
The white majority’s apathy and silence unfortunately serve to strengthen supremacy. To end the code of silence that surrounds racism, we must first recognize its existence. We must admit that the majority does not speak of inequality when and how it occurs.
Professors play a pivotal role in breaking the university code of silence when it comes to race and prejudice. Teachers should create a classroom setting where everyone feels safe speaking up and where people of color are not targeted. They may also give students more essays about helping others, no matter where they come from. Assignments on equality issues may help colleges deal with discrimination.
Analyze the Cultural Relevance of the Services Provided
Providing students with a wide range of resources that are also attuned to their cultural backgrounds is crucial. It will help them feel like they belong at school. Many students of color do not see university personnel and instructors with comparable backgrounds. Hence, it’s critical that support services can adapt to the interests of students of all backgrounds. Academic advising and psychological counseling are two support services that are especially important to the well-being and success of students of color.
Check in on the students’ sense of community
Students’ “sense of belonging” refers to the strong feelings of identification they have with the school and its community. Whether a student feels at home in the college environment depends on whether they feel connected to the school’s social network. It includes their classmates and teachers.
Unfortunately, many minority students feel isolated and uninvolved in campus life. It happens despite having equal access to university resources. Researchers show that racial microaggressions reduce feelings of acceptance and community.
For a student’s development and future success, a feeling of community is essential. Those who say they don’t fit in may seem disinterested in class, in extracurricular activities, and in their relationships with other students. It’s also possible that they won’t feel capable in the classroom, leading to poor performance or even academic problems.
Consider the interaction between law enforcement and minority students
Racism and tensions with police enforcement are still an ongoing problem. Dislike and suspicion toward law enforcement persist in communities of color. There are many documented instances of racial prejudice, racial profiling, and police brutality.
Minority students are disproportionately harassed in schools where white people make up a large percentage of the student body. Campus security may do more to promote diversity if they reflect on and adjust their interactions with students of color.
It is important for universities to make efforts to involve campus police. Some methods for achieving this goal include:
- requesting or mandating officers to participate on school committees
- inviting them into classes
- having them attend campus activities in civilian clothes.
Final thoughts
Anti-racism education on college campuses requires persistent study, evaluation, and action. Examining the larger context of the barriers that prohibit students of color from prospering and feeling at home is essential. We need to give more thought to how to eliminate discrimination from universities.
Author’s BIO
Mary Spears is a study expert and educator. She helps students from all walks of life get enrolled into the universities of their dreams. Mary believes that higher education must be accessible to everyone, regardless of their social and financial status.