All It Takes Is One: Overcoming Financial Difficulty
This year, during April 2023, Congressional Republicans proposed significant budget cuts, as much as 22% for the educational systems across America. These proposals included getting rid of funding for low income students, reducing support for students with disabilities, along with eliminating Pell Grants and Student Debt relief. In South Carolina alone, this would impact approximately 310,000 students, bringing program funding to its lowest in almost a decade.
U.S. Department of Education & Ballotpedia
The difficulty and events these budget cuts could cause would be significant. This causes there to be a deeper divide and inequitable diversion of funds towards schools around America with more affluent recieving more resources than others. For many people who have grown up in schools already limited in resources, this could pose a significant change in the way education is for their communities.
This could then lead one to question, how would this effect the experiences and education for students from differing backgrounds all across America? One could argue, that the teachers and mentors within the educational system can aid students towards a great education, regardless of funding, though making sure it is equitable for students across the country.
A Sit Down with Dr. Kaniqua Robinson
Dr. Kaniqua Robinson, a professor in Anthropology at Furman University shed some light on the subject of education throughout differing institutions.
“Our schools were not A+ schools, but I never felt without (resources) due to the community and the amazing teachers that made the best with what they had.”
According to Dr. Robinson, within her experience of growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, the amount of resources provided within her school was not a point of significance in regards to education. Though there might have been some inequalities, Dr. Robinson mentions “We are a resourceful community, we find a way.”
One could argue that according to this statement, funding within schools is not as significant as we thought, though, that would be incorrect. Dr. Robinson also mentioned within conversation “In advocacy for these communities, we tend to look at these other communities from a deficit perspective. It is necessary that we (schools across America) have the same resources, but it is important that we don’t bleed or amplify stereotypes. It is a structural inequality issue, but we are still thriving in these communities.”
Dr. Robinson mentions that the experience for low income students, especially students of color, is a layered issue, in which the intersectionality and consideration of the specific experiences that may arise by just being a student of color. According to Handbook of Research in Education Finance and Policy, the most significant indicator of racial gaps in regard to educational achievement and access to schools is poverty.
All It Takes is One (Or a Few)
In order to face the possibility of significant budget cuts in regards to education one must focus on what makes education great: The teachers and mentors who guide students along the way. Professor Robinson elaborated on the mentors and teachers who supported her along the way “At Georgia State (University), I had many nonblack professors who were great, and I also had many Black professors who helped me feel seen. I was Biology Pre-Med, I was fed by so many people.”
With the experience of attending predominately black schools, then soon teaching at the predominately white institution that is Furman University, Professor Robinson further emphasizes the importance of being not only a professor, but a mentor. “Coming to Furman is definitely a different experience, but I can then be that mentor that I had before. There are so many great people here on campus that say 'I see you.' There is so much racial diversity on campus.”
What to Do?
Moving forward, communities across the nation can take on the role of being a mentor for their community. Though change politically can help kids across the country, Robinson emphasizes the need to community to support the growth of any kid. By striving to incorporate education and being a positive influence for the youth in their communities. One does not need to be a teacher or a professor to make a profound impact in another person's life. It only takes one person, a single individual, one teacher,a single mentor, to recognize someone's potential, and further uncover possible passions or career aspirations that can transform their lives.