Spring Break \’08: Arkansas

Opportunity is perhaps the most important facet of American life, it is perhaps almost impossible to underscore the importance of providing opportunities to those who otherwise would not have had those opportunities. The includes affording both the sides of the spectrum within the process of stratification an experience other than their own. Noting that conscientious ignorance is a threat to the comprehension of the institutional barriers which impede the lower-class. The main thing I take away, more importantly is that injustice is real in its consequences. Both in pro-action in policy and in apathetic attitude to the plight of those who do not benefit from the opportunities afforded to many. I have come to the realization that it is important to be a difference maker in the environment around you. It is more comfortable to rest on the laurels of personal comfort and ignore the situation but it is also inexcusable to accept injustice be it social, economic or political. In the words of MLK as he launguished in a Brimingham jail cell for fighting for equality and justice, “I know that justice is indivisible, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The tangible reminder of inequality is what I need personally and perhaps drives me to be encouraged and motivated to fight for social justice in my own small way. I would like thank everyone on the trip for making it a memorable one, from the Students and Faculty at Southern Arkansas University, the students and faculty at Stephens High school, Dr. Hattery and Dr. Smith and my fellow students at Wake Forest University.

Pax vobiscum

Michael Mahmoud

Today is the last day in Arkansas and it honestly has been a fulfilling experience. My belief in the potential of everyone students was exposed today. I spent 2 hours in the In-School Suspension (ISS) talking to a couple of bright young men who expressed a desire for a better future and realizing that there is another step from high school. There was a sense of purpose and yet the system has failed them. These students learn at an 8th Grade level irrespective of their grade. This implies a loss in valuable time and as both overseer and teacher of the ISS mentioned, the ISS has no real purpose. I helped out a lot of students, in terms of applying for financial aid, registering for the ACT and starting out their FAFSA application forms. It seemed that we did so little yet their excitement level spoke differently of them. One of the students I helped out was exceptionally brilliant, Tabitha and she had taken the initiative to apply to several of the scholarships and loans that we went over, it was amazing, we over three pages of scholarships and she had already applied to most of them. Knowledge is power and these students could truly be empowered if they have access to information and resources and there is hope for tomorrow.
One of the best experiences of the day was visiting Linda and Russ’s house, it was extremely nice of them to open up their house for us and allowing us to ride Tiffany 2 spots, she was an extremely calm and beautiful horse whom I loved riding. It is sad that we leave tomorrow and it has been an awesome experience. I truly appreciate the opportunity to have been down here and help out, but best of all experience true Southern hospitality reminiscent of Ghana. Southern Arkansas University truly has had gracious hosts. (There are too many of you to mention but you are deeply appreciated)

It has a been great experience honestly here made possible by Dr Tucker (Linda), Brad, Kyle, Corey, Manuella, Dr. Chase have all been gracious, it has truly been a blessed and enlightening. I appreciate what they have done for us. SAU is a beautiful place, except when you can smell the cows but overall it is awesome. The dinner we had with the President and the lecture were both awesome, I loved it. I really appreciate the opportunity to be here and this experience.

It is all put in perspective, to be able to tangibly experience the institutional barriers that affect our youth, to experience the theories we discuss in sociology class in terms of their real social consequences. It raises doubts about the competence about our administration in terms of priority. Expenditure focuses heavily on Foreign policy as opposed to the education system and the healthcare system. The primary focus of the United States government has been based upon on personal preference as opposed to logic, reason and a sense of morality. To perpetuate such a system of deprivation is a travesty and morally irresponsible of public officials who promise to serve their country. The high school kids we saw today at Stephens are so full of promise but the institutional barriers that stack against them are heavy; the lack of textbooks, the lack of an academic support system for those who need it the most as the majority of them come from families who lack the ability to support them adequately. In a country where we spend $18,460,000,000 annually to go to outer space and $70,000,000,000 annually on a conflict started on false premises, the fact that public school children adequate materials in school, begs of us a serious question. What are we investing in? In oil? In the personal interest of a few? The promise of such budding minds is stagnated by the lack of priority and irresponsible decision-making that is almost criminal (In fact Louis XVI was guillotined for such poor judgment). Awareness and perspective needs to come to the fore. I met a high school math teacher at Stephens High School today named Ms. Leville who was so frustrated (emphasis on frustrated, she became teary-eyed explaining the conditions) at the lack of textbooks, the lack of an after-school support system or even those she offers to help personally because of expressed interest, lack the means to get them there. According to her, some students had given up hope on school and those who had not were limited in their skills and even those ahead didn’t get taught because she had to get students who were behind to a benchmark level, so those who did not have the proficiency to pass the test were a priority and those who at the level had to be neglected, a symptom of the No Child Left Behind system. Are we truly the land of the free, when we put institutional barriers in the path of children preventing them from a sufficient basic-level opportunity to succeed if even an equitable education cannot be provided for? A seventeenth century dramatist Henry Fielding made this statement during the industrial revolution, “Public schools are the nurseries of all vice and immorality.” They indeed have become a farm system for the underprivileged to remain at the bottom by implicitly encouraging an indulgence in crime and deviance through deprivation. America should be ashamed of itself.

We did leave at 5am after packing bags in the cold for an hour, Benny claimed to have packed the bags after leaving half of them in the Benson Circle. Thanks to Aaron’s swift driving to Charlotte we stayed ahead of schedule (He should join NASCAR). Tuscalosa, Mississippi was a welcome relief from the road especially the impromptu tour of Mississippi State University which by the way has a beautiful campus (whoever sits in the drivers seat needs to have their map skills on point). We did have an interesting discussion on the way there about marriage with prenuptial agreements and separate checking accounts being the non-negotiable factors. I am excited about the trip and I really don’t know what to expect in a sense I am at odds as to the extent of poverty in America compared what I have experienced but at the same time the dynamics of inequality in Africa do not pertain to those in America. Education is the foundation of success in America and the fact that the educational experience of an industrialized and developing country are both realities in America baffles me. I am ecstatic about meeting the high school students in Stephens tomorrow.