Education is the New Civil Rights Issue for Our Time – Get Outraged and Make a Difference

Recently, the city of Indianapolis made nationwide headlines with the instances of youth-related violence during the Indiana Black Expo’s 40th Anniversary Summer Celebration. The latest shootings in a single night, involving young people from age 10 to 18, are among several instances of community violence in a recent rash of incidences in Indianapolis over the past few months. The community is outraged, demanding immediate action and rightfully so.

Youth-related violence isn’t a new challenge for Indianapolis. It isn’t a new challenge for our country. We’ve been battling gang violence and out-of-control teens for as long as I’ve been an adult. The issue isn’t that we don’t recognize the problem; the issue is what do we do. What do we do that provides an immediate and impactful solution? What do we do that causes global change to a nationwide problem? Where do we begin to address this cycle of violence that seems to get increasingly worse year-after-year?

I believe education is the key and the beginning of systemic change.  It’s been said that education is the new civil rights issue of our time, and I agree. So, why don’t we see the same level of outrage about our city’s low high school graduation rates?

We can’t begin to count all of the positive unintended consequences that come from a solid education. For example, children learning to add two and two in math, aren’t just learning addition, they’re learning to apply logic and reasoning. Its unintended consequences like this coupled with the social/behavioral skills imparted by good teachers that kick in when a child finds himself in a potentially violent situation. These skills support the child in making a good decision in the heat of the moment. Without a solid educational foundation, our children are 100 percent unprepared for life’s challenges.

Community violence is EVERYONE’S problem. But so is education… Whether you are a parent or not, the quality of education provided to Indiana children is an issue that affects each and every resident. Get outraged about instances of violence in this community, and get outraged about the lack of good education in our schools because the two go hand-in-hand.

When little Bobby next door doesn’t pass his I-Step exam, get outraged. When little Sherry at church doesn’t make it to the next grade level, get outraged. Get outraged when the state of Indiana has to take over public schools. Get outraged. And then do something!

The Indianapolis Urban League staff, board and volunteers encourage you to get outraged and get involved to help us make change for the youth of our community. We’re planning to tackle this issue head on and we need you. We’re open to your comments and ideas. Stay tuned for more details concerning upcoming activities.