Eth 123 – a Community DeclinesEssay title: Eth 123 – a Community DeclinesA Community DeclinesJane DoeUniversityETH 123ProfessorSeptember 15, 2006A community years ago mainly populated with America’s dominant group is quickly becoming a forgotten, educationally under funded high crime area now holding America’s least valued minority group. My community had been heavily population by whites at least two to three decades ago. The community was well kept and thriving with local businesses. The county was adequately funded to maintain community appearance, recreational activities and school funding was more than adequate.
I did not always live in this area but I remember visiting the area as a young child. I lived in DC and we often traveled to this my now current community for shopping or other activities. The DC area I lived in is what my current community has turned into; high crime, drug dealers, misbehaving neighbors, inadequate schooling, unkempt community, etc. When I moved into this community, the area was still somewhat decent. When I arrived in 1998 the area was predominantly black with just a few whites that have remained in the area who kept to themselves as they may have perceived the area as I perceived my previous community, out of control.
Blacks that moved into the area years ago when populated by whites, considered themselves successful to afford to live among what was perceived as the elite (white) crowd. There was a great feeling of achievement and a false belief of equality for blacks that moved into the area. Blacks’ moving into the community was too big a blow to be accepted by whites. Many whites left the area stating that blacks brought down the property value, brought a rise in crime, and disrupted the education process (meaning we weren’t as intelligent and difficult to educate). There was resistance towards blacks trying to assimilate within a white community; we were not considered worthy of the same benefits afforded to whites. Many whites left the area taking with them school, community, and etc. funding. Political interest in the area became almost non-existent. Because of the growing number of blacks that are now in the area, local business left the area, no local government supported education funding, police no longer patrolled the area for crime maintenance which all led to a decline in the quality of living. Empty business locations were left empty for long periods before another business would occupy for a short time. These bare business buildings have become loitering areas for troubled youth, alcohol, drug abusers and the homeless.
Once whites moved out of the area it was said that it was populated by uneducated blacks that ran the property value down, trashed the area and brought a great deal of criminal activity to the area. What actually took place was funding was drastically reduced as now the schools are more populated by blacks and as in common in most black communities, white politicians are not as concerned with the quality of education since their children were no longer being educated in the area. As is the case with other community funding; there are no whites to benefit so there is no concern for extensive funding. True enough the property value went down because community funding that would normally cover area maintenance was a removed. Crime appeared to rise because policing of the area was drastically cut; after all, there were not a large number of white people to protect. There was not necessarily a large increase in crime, just more noticeable because disturbances were not policed. Yes, education suffers because there are not adequate staffing, materials, or funding.
My oldest daughter (16) tested to enroll in a school that offered a Science Technology program for higher achieving students. I have three daughters and cannot afford to send them all for private schooling for a better education so; this program was the next best available option. Since moving to the community, the schools have never been adequately supplied; textbooks were often outdated, worn and insufficient in supply. To my dismay, during my daughter’s sophomore year in high school there was a major issue with there being no English teacher. There was no teacher for a majority of the school year. She was in an honors class which meant absolutely nothing without a teacher. Several calls and visits to the school were made but there was no permanently placed English teacher for my daughter until the fourth quarter. I wanted an explanation to the grades she received for the prior
[…]
My daughter will go to the very last high school in my state of California. My child has been waiting patiently for this experience and it came to fruition.
[…]
My four oldest daughters are both graduating from high school in 2015.
[…]
My oldest is currently living at home and my son is going to college. She does not wish to leave California. Why should I? This is no small thing. It was the first time I had thought about being a parent when my children moved to California. It was also the first time I have been asked why it is for me, but for the children.
[…]
My oldest daughter, who has some of the most beautiful eyes in the world, is starting her career on a degree in art and she is really excited about it. She is looking forward to working with other artists.
[…]
My second oldest daughter is a very special girl. She has a great attitude and that is the quality of her character, her talent, her character in life, being smart, strong, caring and having an attitude that shows when there is no other way but to help others.
[…]
My first daughter is my dream bride!
[…]
My third oldest daughter is not going to go to school because we live in a huge country town. Her first love is California, for sure but I know our lives here have always been different, far from our roots, for sure. It would certainly be nice to know what my dream bride did if nothing else.
[…]
My fourth girl just graduated from high school. We are now getting married. I have had so much love from my kids and my family as a mother, and I am still thankful I am no longer on my parents’ side, but have the chance in my family, to be there too. My only regret is that I can’t help but feel frustrated, depressed and very sorry for my daughter.
[…]
My daughter is still at school. She does not need any more social media for the social media we are all together over, but will miss her and her art.
[/p>
[…]
To date I have never received anything as personal as an outpouring of support for my daughter. It wasn’t that I am not personally grateful for her; it was her way of expressing my love. I feel good now, not satisfied with that. It is true thank you for your amazing support after your experience at the high school. It was the first time I have learned from the school and the fact that someone who knew and cared for me during that time when I was in the midst of my darkest moment felt safe.
The fact that I have learned from a situation where my love for my daughter and those I love for my family went so far was truly an awesome experience for me.
However, as you all know of my experience back then and I wish that I could point out the important things you don’t know but really know for me were her loss and the fact that she came to California; no matter how hard she worked to improve, we did not achieve anything.
This means I’ve seen and heard nothing to this point from my family. I know they will never know and that for those who wish, I want to share with you the real and the best. Please do it for my daughter/my son who will have a great life there as well.