Mayor De Blasio’s recent interview used “politician speak” to try to gloss over the real issue coronavirus has revealed about New York City’s education system: Wealth is often the determining factor in what type of education children receive in NYC. In a discussion on the fall semester, De Blasio called parents who were hesitant to send their children back to NYC schools or who were leaving the city, “privileged,” a negatively charged term in the wake of the country’s racial riots. In contrast, he referred to lower-income New Yorkers as the people “often dealing with tough realities, the hard-working people” who would “stand and fight” (i.e. go to public school).
Though De Blasio’s comments describing difficult circumstances and hard work are probably accurate depictions of lower-income New Yorkers, coverage of COVID-19 tells a story of necessity and not one of blind bravery or loyalty to NYC public schools. Instead, it tells a story of how many low-income families have been trying to survive.
Graph from Time Magazine
It is no secret that certain types of jobs in NYC immediately allowed for more safety in the COVID-19 pandemic than others. Families with white-collar jobs were often able to work remotely and avoid exposure to the virus. Numerous news sources confirm that wealthier areas stayed home much sooner than low-income communities who did not have options, savings, or childcare. Sure, these communities have been resilient and determined during these stressful times, but by continuing to go to work, these people were not necessarily “choosing” a heroic lifestyle. In fact, most did not have a choice in the matter at all. They were just trying to make ends meet.
Likewise, many families who will be sending their children back to public schools in the fall will not be living the lifestyle that De Blasio has ascribed to them. Families who have no choice but to send children to their assigned school in the fall should not be touted as devout followers to NYC’s Department of Education (DOE). They are not making a statement in favor of certain types of public education. In fact, it’d be interesting to see a poll asking, “Would you send your child to this school if you weren’t *forced* to this fall?”
Even before the virus was a concern, NYC DOE administrators were criticized for ditching their own assigned schools. What makes De Blasio so sure that the students who keep attending are actually “standing and fighting” or want to be there? New Yorkers shouldn’t be ethically shamed for being concerned about the health of their children and the community during a pandemic. Likewise, families feeling trapped in schools should have more opportunities available to them. De Blasio can call those who have choices “privileged” but he must stop pretending that those without privileges have a choice to “stand and fight.” Though having “privileges” has a negative connotation, the only negative here is the same opportunities are not available to everyone. Quality education should not be a privilege. It should be the standard.
*FORCED: This term has several meanings in this context -
If you work and your child’s school also serves as childcare, you are forced to send your child to school unless you can afford better care.
Those who cannot change schools by moving addresses or by attending private school are forced to attend their district school (unless schools officially close again). If parents do not send their children to school, they can be fined and even arrested under truancy laws.