Here's a letter in the Oakland Tribune by the teacher I mentioned when I was talking about the Donors Choose event. She points out that it was heavily edited, but is glad it was published.
Why there's inequity in education
IN MY SEVENTH YEAR teaching at Lockwood, I am glad the issue of inequity in education is finally being recognized, but I think focusing on teacher salaries is missing the greater problem. ("Report: Poor schools get less money for teachers," Sept. 15).
To sum up Lockwood as "one of the worst" schools does our children and their families a great disservice. Yes, we have had low test scores, and we are located in an area known for violence.
However, I am hopeful for the school and see encouraging changes. More importantly, the hard work and dedication of our students and families needs to be recognized.
Some parents are working two or three jobs trying to support their families and still take time to help their children learn. I have had students who come to school on the day after seeing a family member or neighbor shot and killed.
Many come to school hungry or are living in a different shelter each month. There are situations that people in other parts of Oakland can't even dream of.
The problem is much bigger than teacher salaries or any particular district. The problem is a long history of racism, how our society devalues the poor and how we as a community and nation consider low-income minority children to be disposable.
I have seen proof of that again and again. If everyone truly understood that these beautiful, talented, creative, precious children in the "worst" schools were every bit as valuable as the "richer, whiter" children in the hills — and acted accordingly — these problems would no longer exist.
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