- How can we help establish more equality for the Black/ African-American community in the US?
Creating economic initiatives and policies to promote equal access to job opportunities, entrepreneurship, and financial resources. This includes supporting minority-owned businesses and providing resources for skill development and career advancement.
2. Has the Black community truly been afforded equal access to literacy necessary to be successful in contemporary America? Reference Richard Wright’s “The Library Card” and any other sources, including your own experience, if you wish.
While improvements have been made in civil rights and educational policies, systemic issues still impact equal access to literacy for Black individuals. Factors such as socioeconomic disparities, unequal school funding, and limited access to quality educational resources continue to hinder equal opportunities for literacy in certain communities. Efforts toward ensuring equal access to literacy must address these systemic challenges through equitable funding, improved library access, mentorship programs, and tailored community initiatives within the Black community, all crucial in promoting educational success and literacy. Wright’s story serves as an example of how access to literature and education played a major role in his journey to becoming a successful writer, highlighting the importance of equal access to literacy for all in achieving success in contemporary America.
3. What is the argument in the article titled “With COVID, the African-American Literacy Crisis will get much worse”? Support your answer with evidence from the text, and with your own thoughts on this topic.
The argument in the article “With COVID-19, The African-American Literacy Crisis Will Get Much Worse” is that the current education system is failing to adequately prepare the majority of African-American students for success, resulting in a learning crisis among Black teenagers. The article suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to exacerbate this crisis even further. The need for accessible early childhood education and exposure to a wealth of words from a young age to improve literacy among African-American students. In my opinion, systemic issues have long impacted these students’ academic success, and the pandemic has widened the gap further. To address the literacy crisis among African-American students, a comprehensive approach is necessary, involving not only accessible early childhood education but also targeted interventions and investments.