Political Cartoon of the Week

Opinions & Ideas by Shafeen Charania

Unknown Variables

The public education system is a very tricky equation, one in which the variables are clearly identified but are simultaneously dependent. There is no simple solution or derivative, which can measure the changes in a function, the success of the public educational system. The government controls the budget and public policy, but with individual interests competing with the political polarization of Congress and other current pressing issues things get swept under the rug. Even if public education is discussed, the opinions of Congress are diametrically opposed in an environment void of compromise. Teachers are a subset of the budget and government, but they are an unknown factor as well. The strengths, passion, dedication and training of teachers widely vary, especially across the nation. Areas dominated by low socioeconomic status families have the short end of the stick. Teachers and the budget can impact the outcome of the equation, however, students are immensely important to their own education as well. Students have to put the work in to master multiplication tables and understand the differences between constitutional monarchies and democracies. Granted these are elementary level subjects, nevertheless, with each succeeding level of education comes more complex material and more responsibility for the student. With all of these dependent variables there is no one size fits all solution, which exponentially complicates public education policy. How can social justice for the future generations be preserved if there is such inequality in the public education system? What do you think is the biggest determinant of success: students, teachers or governmental policy? 

Political Cartoon of the Week

By S.W. Parra / The Fresno Bee

About...

Social justice, to me, is the insurance of our fundamental rights, however, in reality they are not guaranteed for all people. It includes the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, the right to exercise free speech, the right to enumerated powers, that which is not explicitly covered in the Constitution. We supposedly live in a free society, yet it is far from equal. And it is equality that promotes societal freedom. Thus without true equality we cannot live in a textbook free society. This lack of true freedom not only creates discrimination, but it sustains them. The only way to combat social injustice or bring about social justice is to make it public knowledge.

With the rise of the digital age, access to information has become more widespread. A new medium of journalism emerged: web logging or blogging. Basically any person can create a blog to voice their views and share their experiences to raise awareness or for self-expression. Personally, my Dad has a blog, which I contribute to with sugary treats, dedicated to food. We share recipes from our family brunches on Sundays and write up restaurant reviews for local eateries. This by no means combats the broken public education system or the rising unemployment rate, but the blog provides an outlet to express our journalistic passion, particularly pertaining to food. I am particularly interested in social justice regarding education. Our public school system is conceptually brilliant, but in reality it is a source that sustains inequality. Personally, I volunteer weekly at an elementary school in Ypsilanti to encourage literacy in first and second grade students. Instilling a thirst for knowledge at a young age is vitally important.

Not everyone wants to read about the components of lemon bundt cake with maple cappuccino glaze, but blogging, for social or personal matters, exponentially expands the information available online for everyone. It creates a more level playing field, but access is universal. Disclaimer: because information is available so readily and anyone can publish onto the web, not every piece of information is completely accurate. Despite the accuracy issues, it provides a springboard for discussion of political and social issues at our fingertips.