According to Ogbu, why does inequality exist in our educational system? Do you agree or disagree with Ogbu's a

Question

According to Ogbu, why does inequality exist in our educational system? Do you agree or disagree with Ogbu's assertions? Why or why not? What do you think can be done to lessen this racial gap?

Answer 1

I believe Ogbu -an anthropoligist and professor- posited that blacks developed whta he termed an "oppositional cultural identity" whereby, because of the pervasive and pernicious offense of discrimination, they resorted to developing a culture of their own -within the dominant white culture of America.

Known for coining the concept of blacks "acting white," Dr. Ogbu believed this phenomenon -real or perceived- was an outgrowth of the civil war and the emancipation of slaves.  That is, even with their so-called freedom, blacks were led to believe the most promising future was for them to align their behaviors and speech after white folk (think: Uncle Tom).

I believe its evident (empirically and anecdotally) that inequality permeates our educational system ... just as it does elsewhere in our culture.  In fact, I'm certain we have institutionalized inequality throughout all our major systems of life and governance in the US.

I'm not convinced that Dr. Ogbu's assertions are right -or maybe, it's better to say, not always right as I certainly disagree with his take on Ebonics.

I'm not convinced we will ever lessen this racial gap ... we've been at it for a minimum of 232 years and, in my view, it seems to be more entrenched (the racial gap) today and continuing so in the future (for a recent example that supports my thinking, take a review of the atrocities heaped on the Reverend Wright by politicos and pundits alike recently).