Correlation Between Education and Social Equality, Essay Example

E. B. Dubois believed that there was a direct correlation between education and social equality. During the 1900s, access to a fair education for African American, female, and poor students was impossible. Yet, Dubois argued that allowing everyone the opportunity to obtain a fair education would change American society. To say that education is the key to eradicating all the problems we have in society is an understatement. When The Souls of Black Folk was published in 1903, Dubois had adamantly opposed the belief that White Americans were superior to Blacks. I believe that an educated society will be a more productive one.

In America today, all children are required to attend school, but for some societies access to an education is still privilege. The United States is one of the most productive nations in the world today because of its education system. Education is the key to eradicating oppression and igniting social reform. W. E. B. Dubois was a highly educated man and h e realized that there was no quick fix to social inequality, but he hoped that his efforts would ensure a better outcome for future generations. I believe that his dream will become a reality at some point, but the effects of lack of education are very prominent in today’s society.

Dubois felt that equality among the races was imperative. However, he did not believe that uneducated persons should be allowed certain privileges-like voting. In contrast, Washington felt that everyone should enjoy the same privileges. Again, I agree with Dubois because an uneducated person can be easily manipulated. So, being able to vote and voting for who a person wants to vote for are entirely two different concerns. I believe this would have cause a false pretense. This concept would only pacify the uneducated voter.

Education in today’s world is not equal. As a result, some areas have more crime and poverty than others. I believe this is just another way of pacifying the uneducated. Many people are unaware of the fact that some school systems have more resources and hold students to higher standards than others. For example, I have two friends that teach in the same county-one teaches in the city schools and the other teaches in the county. There is a great difference between the educations that is being offered in the two systems. One of the systems has their grading system a little higher because they no longer for the traditional scale of 70 being a “C”, but 70 is a “D”. One of the system’s students are required to wear uniforms, while the other is not. It is also an unwritten rule that one of the system’s only hires veteran teachers and they must live within the community.  With differences like these, it is easy to guess which community has the most poverty and crime.

Educational systems around the nation have improved greatly since Dubois’ time. Nonetheless, there is so much progress to be made. When people come to the realization that education is something that will benefit all, rather than seeing it as something that must be guarded because not everyone deserves it, the nation will change for the best. Without being properly educated, a person is doomed to a life of oppression, poverty, and crime.