Camille Cruz

Prof. Ortega
Sociology
June 21, 2015
Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools

In the example of Irl Solomons history class, the article explains how there is limited
opportunity to education in East St. Louis. Girls are getting pregnant and they dont have any
other options to continue with life since education there is getting them nowhere. Getting a
diploma in a ghetto area values to nothing, since others wont see it as professional and mentally
challenging for the students. Also, the lack of classes and the hygiene of the environment take a
toll on a student's learning. With the lack of no classes provided for students and resources such
as technology, the students are starting to think that others schools outside East St. Louis are
having bigger and better opportunities.
In Jennifers views on schools in the poor areas (Bronx & East St. Louis), she explains
how she left the Bronx with her family as they moved out. She also believes that she shouldn't
pay taxes for those that have an education in the Bronx, because it's hell. Jennifer believes its
the people in the Bronx that should want the education to succeed, and not depending on
someone else for a better life. She gave an example of parents not being able to pay for their
childs education, but that shouldn't stop the child to succeed. Being independent is one attribute
to becoming successful and making a change in your life.
I believe the difference between East St. Louis and the Bronx is the opportunities they did
and did not have. East St. Louis is full of poverty as the story described the lack of resources,
hygiene, hope and opportunities. This shows that they couldn't have the support to improve the

area since many students wanted a change and a new door to bigger opportunities. On the other
hand, the Bronx had the opportunity to succeed. They had a choice to attend school and have all
the classes they can have unlike East St. Louis.
I thought this article was very interesting since the topic was about savage inequalities.
The area of East St. Louis had limited opportunities to have a future because schools there had
no hope for students who complete or don't complete school there. The Bronx had more
opportunities such as classes and technology in the school, but they don't take advantage of the
resources and preparation for their future seriously. I believe in the past 20 years there has been
no change in the system because Ive experienced people dropping out of college and not taking
advantage of the opportunities they had for being able to have an education, while people in
other areas have it worse and want to get an education to get out. The system won't change
unless the people in the education system make a change for the society as a whole. If teachers
and students influence each other to work hard and find a way to make a change, it would create
a cycle and help improve the drive to succeed.