In recent weeks, a passionate discourse has ignited regarding the state of education across America, particularly spotlighting the alarming statistics surrounding student performance in cities like Baltimore. This conversation invokes a previous outcry for justice surrounding the death of George Floyd, demonstrating a curious disconnect: while many Americans rallied to advocate for racial justice, there seems to be a glaring lack of urgency when it comes to addressing the educational failures that strangle opportunities for future generations.
Pastor Cory Brooks, known as the “rooftop Pastor,” has made it his mission to advocate for Chicago’s South Side while building a community center aimed at transforming areas plagued by violence into hubs of opportunity. His latest reflections reveal a startling trend found within the public school system: in Baltimore, not one student in 23 public schools demonstrated proficiency in math. To make matters worse, additional schools reported only a handful of students meeting grade-level standards. This situation raises the question—if communities can mobilize en masse for societal issues, why do they remain largely silent when it comes to educational reform?
The responsibility for the failures in education tends to be offloaded onto government officials and educators, who often deflect blame onto broader societal issues like racism or political partisanship. While systemic challenges do exist, it is vital to recognize that true change can only come from taking immediate responsibility at the family level. According to Pastor Brooks, parents need to step up and prioritize their children’s education, refusing to hand over this vital responsibility to a broken system that has shown little care for its charges.
He challenges parents to ask themselves: where are the protests against failing schools? Where is the grassroots activism demanding educational accountability? The lack of organized outrage stands in stark contrast to the fervent response seen during rallies for racial justice. It begs an examination of societal values—why do Americans seem more engaged in the theater of social movements than in the practical, transformative power of education for their children?
Amid the whirlwind of national headlines, ranging from Vice President Harris’s tax proposals to debates around critical societal issues, the sobering reality is that America’s educational landscape is literally burning. Students are entering a workforce unprepared and ill-equipped to compete, often described as “graduates in name only.” It’s a troubling prospect when thinking of the next generation—one that does not have the same opportunities for success, having been failed by the very institutions that should empower them.
In a world faced with constant distractions, it is essential to return to a fundamental truth: parents must take an active role in fostering their children’s education. As history has shown, individuals like Frederick Douglass thrived and learned under the harshest conditions, proving that determination to learn can outweigh the barriers faced. When parents prioritize education as a non-negotiable pillar of their children’s upbringing, only then can we hope to spark the changes needed to elevate American society as a whole.
In summary, while movements for social justice are crucial, they must be complemented by an equally vigorous commitment to educational integrity and success. Pastor Brooks emphasizes the urgent need for Americans to reframe their priorities, so the next wave of graduates doesn’t just survive but thrives in a world full of opportunities. A community that values education is a community that empowers its future—let’s not forget that truth.
