In this paper I will discuss Inequality In The Promised Land by R. L’Heureux Lewis-McCoy published in 2014. In 2006, McCoy conducts a study to illustrate the underlying inequality and micro social and racial aggressions present within the seemingly progressive and diverse Rolling Acres Public Schools (RAPS), a fictitiously named midwestern school system. Three major themes I will focus on are researcher Annette Laureau’s “concerted cultivation” child rearing strategy and how it affects children’s success, the disparity in the ability of students of different races to acquire access to resources, and how the engagement of poor and middle- class parents impacts their children’s education.
One of McCoy’s main focuses is on “concerted cultivation” …show more content…
To demonstrate this point, McCoy uses the events of working-class black mother, Ms. Martin, and middle-class black mother, Ms. Towles. McCoy recalls Ms. Martin’s negative experiences with her daughter Raven’s fourth-grade teacher Mr. Marks (75). Ms. Martin had been viewed by Mr. Marks as an unengaged “problem parent” because she had missed the first open house and the opportunity to be added to the email list (78). I think that more of an effort should have been made on his behalf, to ensure that all parents were informed about the list. As Chase mentioned in class, the teacher could have done something as simple as sending out a mass email instead of having an exclusive list. It is imperative that teachers understand that some parents are unable to time time off from work, but that does not imply that they do not care. Due to Mr. Mark’s unfavorable opinions about Ms. Martin, he treated Raven poorly in class and ostracized her when she brought cupcakes into school on her birthday (77). A lot of development occurs in one year of a child’s life. If teachers, like Mr. Marks have unfavorable attitudes towards certain students, it could substantially hinder them emotionally and academically as they could potentially view school negatively because of the regular mistreatment. In contrast, Mr. Marks had a favorable attitude towards Ms. Towles because she had been physically active …show more content…
McCoy also emphasizes the inequality between students of different races in acquiring resources through the different lives of Danny and Lebron. Social-class based struggles are also illustrated with how certain students are treated or mistreated by teachers because of the social class of their
One of McCoy’s main focuses is on “concerted cultivation” …show more content…
To demonstrate this point, McCoy uses the events of working-class black mother, Ms. Martin, and middle-class black mother, Ms. Towles. McCoy recalls Ms. Martin’s negative experiences with her daughter Raven’s fourth-grade teacher Mr. Marks (75). Ms. Martin had been viewed by Mr. Marks as an unengaged “problem parent” because she had missed the first open house and the opportunity to be added to the email list (78). I think that more of an effort should have been made on his behalf, to ensure that all parents were informed about the list. As Chase mentioned in class, the teacher could have done something as simple as sending out a mass email instead of having an exclusive list. It is imperative that teachers understand that some parents are unable to time time off from work, but that does not imply that they do not care. Due to Mr. Mark’s unfavorable opinions about Ms. Martin, he treated Raven poorly in class and ostracized her when she brought cupcakes into school on her birthday (77). A lot of development occurs in one year of a child’s life. If teachers, like Mr. Marks have unfavorable attitudes towards certain students, it could substantially hinder them emotionally and academically as they could potentially view school negatively because of the regular mistreatment. In contrast, Mr. Marks had a favorable attitude towards Ms. Towles because she had been physically active …show more content…
McCoy also emphasizes the inequality between students of different races in acquiring resources through the different lives of Danny and Lebron. Social-class based struggles are also illustrated with how certain students are treated or mistreated by teachers because of the social class of their