Response: Does student integration in schools matter in order to ensure educational equity?

       When tasked with opposing student integration in schools I experienced a wave of apprehension–it’s rare that one is asked to fight for what one doesn’t believe in. I always regarded diversity as a crucial part of a wholesome education (and still do), and had never been pushed to identify any downsides. Truthfully, I didn’t think I could find any.

       The systemic inequity that pervades our society is outrageously injudicious. The education system is a microcosm of that systemic sentiment. While my team was asked to argue against the importance of integration in guaranteeing educational equity, we didn’t really end up doing so. All of our comments and rebuttals seemed to revolve around one key conviction: yes, integration is extremely critical in ensuring educational equity, but that integration cannot come into being until our education system as a whole is thoroughly reformed. Thus, while integrating student bodies is of serious necessity, it may not be of top priority. Integrating the student bodies of our schools is a vital part of fostering an environment of open-minded and productive citizens, but so are the basic resources­ –adequate facilities and funding, engaged and responsible teachers– that many New York City schools are not providing. Our schools do not meet countless students’ (of all races) needs; equity is still latent. Integrating students certainly matters, but it isn’t the first step in ensuring education that is conducive to the needs of all of its beneficiaries. When some of the underlying problems plaguing the education system are taken care of, we can move eagerly and proudly toward integration.