IS EMPOWERMENT EQUAL?

Based on the foundations of empowerment, a child should not have to fight to receive equal opportunity, to be treated fairly, or to be uplifted and promoted to succeed. This is not the case for many marginalized groups who endure the effects of systemic racism, bullying, and unequal treatment in many institutions, not just schools.

EMPOWERMENT is NOT EQUAL...

When students encounter xenophobic, homophobic, racist, sexist, classist or religion-related bullying at school or any discrimination which hinders their educational experience

When the safety or comfort of a student is compromised in any way, especially through targeted harassment as seen above

When teachers or members of authority do not support or help students who are known to be struggling or are being bullied

When the individual needs of students are not met, or when their culture is suppressed (for example, Black language) or when students are forced to assimilate

When students believe that they must conform to academic standards of language and 'act white' to succeed

When students do not have equal means of getting to school, or there are significant class disparities which lead to exclusion from events and unequal opportunities

Sites such as this one from the Institute for Quality Communities display the urban infrastructure changes that occurred in the 1960s and resulted many lower income, Black and immigrant neighborhoods being wiped out and in the racialization of others. These initiatives resulted in neighborhoods like Garden Heights as seen in Angie Thomas' book The Hate U Give.