WHAT ABOUT OUR BLACK BABIES? The Journey From Segregation to School Choice as a Pathway to Educational Empowerment, Not Politics.

 

WHAT ABOUT OUR BLACK BABIES? The Journey From Segregation to School Choice as a Pathway to Educational Empowerment, Not Politics. 

A Perspective by Pastor Kyev Tatum

The struggle for educational equity in Black communities has been long and arduous, shaped by systemic racism, segregation, and chronic underfunding. Today, school choice has emerged as a modern civil rights movement—one that centers on the belief that every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of geographic or socioeconomic barriers. This paper examines the historical context of Black education reform, the legislative necessity of universal school choice, and the role of Black leaders in advocating for school choice as a means to promote economic mobility, educational freedom, and social justice. Recent polling from Texas Southern University, Rice University, and the University of Houston reveals that 69% of Black Texans support universal Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), a level of support that surpasses White (62%) and Latino (59%) respondents. The findings reinforce a growing consensus: school choice is not merely an education policy—it is a fundamental issue of justice, empowerment, and legislative reform.

I. Introduction

Educational inequity has persisted as a defining issue for Black communities throughout American history. From the era of legally sanctioned segregation to the present-day realities of underfunded and underperforming schools, Black students have disproportionately suffered from systemic failures in public education. While Brown v. Board of Education (1954) formally ended de jure segregation, de facto segregation persists in the form of limited school options for Black families residing in economically disadvantaged areas.

As a lifelong advocate for social justice and educational empowerment, I firmly believe that universal school choice represents a legislative imperative for achieving educational equity. By enabling parents to direct public education dollars toward schools of their choosing—whether public, charter, private, or home-based—school choice policies empower historically marginalized families to pursue the best academic environments for their children.

II. The Historical Context: From Segregation to School Choice

A. Early Black Educational Autonomy

In the post-Reconstruction era, when public education systems actively excluded Black students or relegated them to substandard facilities, Black communities took control of their children’s education. Black churches, fraternal organizations, and philanthropists established private schools that prioritized literacy, civic engagement, and self-sufficiency. These schools—often funded through community-led initiatives—laid the foundation for the Black professional class and civil rights leadership.

B. The Rosenwald Schools: A Precedent for School Choice

The Rosenwald Schools Project, a collaboration between Booker T. Washington and Jewish philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, serves as a historical precedent for school choice advocacy. Between 1912 and 1937, this initiative constructed 4,978 schools for Black children across the South, dramatically improving literacy rates and academic attainment. This model—where private philanthropy supplemented public resources—demonstrates the long-standing need for alternative education pathways in Black communities.

C. The Persistence of Educational Inequities Post-Brown v. Board

While Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark ruling, its implementation was met with significant resistance. White flight, the rise of private segregation academies, and political opposition to school desegregation initiatives resulted in continued disparities. In the modern era, Black students remain disproportionately enrolled in underperforming schools, prompting renewed advocacy for educational alternatives.

III. Why Legislative Reform for School Choice is Essential

A. Addressing Failing Schools

A disproportionate number of failing schools are concentrated in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods. According to the Texas Education Agency, many of these schools consistently underperform in standardized assessments, graduation rates, and college readiness. School choice provides families with immediate solutions by granting access to high-performing schools, regardless of income or ZIP code.

B. Expanding Economic Mobility through Education

Education has historically been a primary vehicle for economic advancement in Black communities. By allowing parents to utilize public funds for private or charter school tuition, Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and school voucher programs equip students with pathways to college and career readiness that may otherwise be unavailable.

C. Increasing Competition and Innovation

Research suggests that competition in education leads to overall system improvement. Public schools in states with robust school choice programs have demonstrated measurable gains in academic performance, as they must innovate and enhance quality to retain students. School choice policies drive competition, ensuring that all schools are incentivized to improve.

D. Advancing Culturally Responsive Education

Many Black parents seek educational institutions that incorporate culturally relevant curricula and affirm Black history, identity, and contributions. Charter and private schools often provide tailored educational experiences that reflect these priorities, addressing a longstanding concern that traditional public schools frequently overlook Black perspectives in curriculum development.

E. Overcoming Systemic Barriers

For decades, Black students have encountered systemic barriers in accessing high-quality education. School choice policies dismantle these barriers by transferring decision-making power from bureaucratic institutions to families, ensuring that parents—not government entities—control their child’s educational trajectory.

IV. Black Leadership in the School Choice Movement

Black leaders have long been at the forefront of the fight for educational justice. Some of the most vocal advocates for school choice today include:

• Roland Martin – Journalist using media advocacy to highlight educational disparities.

• Dr. Howard Fuller – Education reform leader and founder of the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO).

• Dr. Steve Perry – Founder of Capital Preparatory Schools and charter school advocate.

• Denisha Allen – Founder of Black Minds Matter and grassroots mobilizer for school choice.

• Virginia Walden Ford – Activist who helped establish the Washington, D.C., Opportunity Scholarship Program.

V. Legislative Recommendations for School Choice Expansion

To institutionalize school choice as a means of educational equity, I propose the following legislative actions:

1. Universal Education Savings Accounts (ESAs): Implement ESAs to allow public education funds to follow students to the school of their choice.

2. School Voucher Programs: Expand school voucher initiatives to provide low-income families access to private education options.

3. Charter School Expansion: Remove caps on charter school growth to increase high-quality education alternatives.

4. Tax-Credit Scholarships: Establish tax incentives for businesses and individuals that contribute to scholarship funds for low-income students.

5. Transportation Funding for School Choice: Allocate state funds for transportation assistance, ensuring that mobility does not hinder access to chosen schools.

VI. Conclusion: A Call to Legislative Action

The overwhelming support for school choice among Black Texans reflects a larger national movement toward educational justice. School choice is not about politics—it is about empowerment, freedom, and justice. As a leader committed to the well-being of Black children, I urge policymakers to recognize school choice as a legislative priority and enact reforms that place educational power in the hands of families.

Education is freedom. School choice is justice. Legislative action is the pathway forward.

Pastor Kyev P. Tatum, Sr., 
New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church
Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas
2864 Mississippi Avenue 
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
817-966-7625, kptatum1@gmail.com
https://youtu.be/T7PeAaZkkwI
Website: www.newmountrose.com


Surprisingly, Texas has more African-Americans than any other state in the United States of America: https://blackdemographics.com/population/black-state-population/ #BlackTexans