The Problem

The issue of education, specifically in the United States, has been an ongoing problem since the Civil Rights Movement, when Jim Crow laws were created that segregated bathrooms, schools, public transportation, and much more for African Americans. In 1896, Plessy v. Ferguson deemed segregation constitutional and put in place “separate but equal laws.” This act after slavery set up years of issues to come, including contemporary issues that will be discussed in this blog.

Historically, African Americans were enslaved, barred from specific rights, and heavily oppressed. For the topic at hand, however, educational segregation began with the Jim Crow Laws and was eventually deemed unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. According to the United States Courts, this case was made up of five court cases that argued for desegregation in public schools. Those cases were: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Briggs v. Elliot, Davis v. Board of Education of Prince Edward County (VA), Bolling v. Sharpe, and Gebhart v. Ethel. Without these cases and their hearings in the Supreme Court, the issue of educational segregation would have never been deemed unconstitutional nor changed. 

From a literary standpoint, A Lesson Before Dying exemplifies this educational segregation from the point of view of an African American educator teaches in a one-room school on a former plantation. Education, particularly higher education, is not something African Americans were “supposed to have” during this time in the novel. In the novel, a quote that stands out about education is this one: “Next year it would be the same, and the year after that, the same again. Vivian said things were changing. But where were they changing?” (Gaines 152). This mentality, as described in the novel, is the mentality many African Americans have faced both historically and contemporarily. It is difficult, in certain scenarios, to see the future when history keeps repeating itself. Because of Grant’s school being housed on a former plantation, he feels trapped and hopeless in how to make his students the best versions of themselves. Another key quote that highlights the issue in the novel is: “Exactly what I'm trying to do here with you now: to make you responsible young men and young ladies. But you, you prefer to play with bugs. You refuse to study your arithmetic, and you prefer writing slanted sentences instead of straight ones. Does that make any sense?” (Gaines 39). Grant, again because of history holding him back, can not see the potential in his students. Because of the time period, he has been filled with the idea that these students may never get out of Bayonne, Louisiana even if they have desires to. 

A photo of a 1940s classroom at Madison Elementary School in Iowa. Courtesy: Davenport Public Library 

Contemporarily, educational segregation is still a prevalent topic, even more than 50 years after Brown v. Board of Education. Many items have risen due to our school system in the United States. Reform, according to the National Education Association is being discussed in the following areas: student achievement gap between white and African American students, inadequate funding of predominantly African American schools, and lack of diversity in the teaching field, which also relates back to A Lesson Before Dying. 

Two of the items mentioned in the previous paragraph relate to each other because one is a direct result of the other. Due to inadequate funding for schools in high-poverty districts, those students are not receiving a proper education, leading to a so-called educational gap. Schools in high-poverty areas are funded less in our education system. Presently, more than half of the United States spends less money on schools in impoverished districts. The statistics are startling, indicating that the funding gaps in Illinois, Missouri, New York, and Alabama rank among the worst, according to U.S. News and World Report. Interestingly as well, Pacific Standard reported that as a whole, non-white school districts receive $23 billion less funding than white school districts. Due to this funding gap, students in the schools that receive less funding thus have a more difficult time attaining their goals. Although the time period in the novel is different, issues today are still connected to those in the book, like Grant receiving no funding for his school. 

Photo Credit: Good Black News

The other contemporary issue at hand is the lack of diversity in the teaching field, again tying back to Grant being the only educated black man in his community. It is important for a student’s success to have a teacher who resembles their own race because it provides a comfort that someone understands them. It also creates a feeling within students that they can achieve what they are determined to achieve and provides them with a mentor. Teachers of color are in high demand but in short supply, as studies have found that when students are taught by someone of their same race, the achievement gap narrows and they are more likely to score higher on standardized tests, have enhanced hopes to attend college, and have improved graduation rates. 

Overall, history has laid a foundation for an ongoing issue. Even though segregation was supposed to have been solved over 50 years ago, it has not been. Events in the novel discussed are still relatable to events today, noting that reform needs to be made in many areas. Although many would argue that there is no longer an issue, statistics and studies say otherwise. Educational reform will happen and one day, segregation in schools will no longer be a problem.