Old-school segregation in Omaha

So, I just got word today that a school district in Omaha, Nebraska is basically re-segregating their system into three districts that are predominately white, black and Hispanic. There are four possible scenarios for the district lines, but in every one two of the districts are predominately minority. The supporters of the plan say that it gives minorities control over their own school boards and ensures that their kids aren’t shortchanged in favor of white students. The opponents of the plan say that it sets race relations back and may be un-Constitutional. In response to that, Senator Ernie Chambers, a black senator who supports the new setup, pointed out that the districts are already segregated because it stopped busing students out of their way for the sake of integration. The system already has a neighborhood schools plan in place, which many people oppose because most of America lives in segregated neighborhoods.

I don’t have a problem with this, because you wouldn’t catch me living in Omaha anyway and I don’t have kids. For me, the ideal school system is one where you can choose your school and opt to be bused out to magnet schools with special interest programs. I came up in a system like that and I'm kick ass! (sorry that just came out). What I meant to say was that I chose an all-black high school with a magnet program; it just happened to be the best high school in the state with the proudest alumni. It was the smartest move I ever made and to this day, I’m impressed with my insight. But enough about dear Dudley High. We were in need of things the district would never dream of having our white counterparts attend school without, but we still had pride. Oh, did I say enough about that?

This move in Omaha seems to be a creative solution to a problem that’s been haunting schools since people who weren’t white were allowed to learn. In Omaha, they claim that students with large non-white student populations aren’t getting the resources and quality of teachers that schools with mostly white students get. Therefore, it makes sense that if your district school board were made up of parents of the same race, you’d erase the inequality that exists. If, of course, that inequality is the result of racism. It sounds like they’re pretty sure it is, which is another issue.

This is a major set back in race relations, no doubt. While busing kinda sucks, I think we’ve seen the results of years of forced integration. Younger generations are more accepting of each other’s differences. It’s to the point where being gay is one of the biggest issues in schools these days, not being a minority. Kimora Lee Simmons just donating a lot of funding for a school that’s primarily for gay students. Yet, another form of segregation, of course, it’s all about acceptance. Neighborhood schools don’t foster acceptance and also bring socio-economic differences to the forefront. While rich kids will always standout with their fancy cars, new sneakers and high-end clothing, it will also stand out when a whole school of those kids come to your raggedy football field for a game. When their basketball team has hot, new warm-ups and you’re team is wearing that same bullshit from the 80s.

Where was I, segregation is still bad but can be good. Students should also have the choice to choose because all people aren't comfortable in homogenous all-white or all-Hispanic settings. Some people need diversity in their lives and imagine this, actually enjoy it! If schools aren’t going to be fully integrated, then these kids have to meet on a common ground somewhere. College is way too late.

[The picture above is of a Charlotte, NC student going to an "integrated" school for the first time. ]