College Economic Crisis

(The Rising Cost of College Tuition from 1982 to 2007)

Dear President Obama,


“Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages … Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.”
That quote is taken out of Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That declaration is a
common standard of achievement for all people and nations. Article 26 even continues to say “Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.” The declaration is the first global expression of the natural rights humans are born with, an education being one of them.

So in the declaration, it is made clear that all humans have the civil liberties to learn, so that they can prosper and become the future of America, as it has been meant to be. But how can that be achieved if something so little as money can stand in the way? According to the biennial report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, with the rising cost of tuition, even before the the recession, many Americans can't afford college. The college tuition fees have increased an enormous amount of 439 percent from 1982 to 2007, while the median family income only raised 147 percent. College loans has more then doubled in the last 10 years, and students from lower class families usually get smaller grants from the colleges they attend then more prosperous families. 
“If we go on this way for another 25 years, we won’t have an affordable system of higher education,” said Patrick M. Callan, president of the center, a nonpartisan organization that promotes access to higher education.


The beginnings of black education occurred during the Civil Rights Movements in Virginia. Where very few black Virginians would receive any education because of the segregation. They couldn't afford school not because of their money, but because of their skin. Public schools separated the whites from the black children, to “reduce conflict”. Black children didn't mind it too much; they were happy enough to get an education at all, and they felt more comfortable without the white interactions to avoid being taunted with racial jokes. These schools however, “ were at the mercy of the white-controlled state government for funding.” Many whites feared that an education would encourage the blacks to challenge white supremacy and not be content with their jobs of working in the fields. So the financial support for black schools were very low compared to the white schools, including “fewer books, worse buildings, and less well paid teachers.”

In the 1900's children couldn't afford school because of who they were, todays generation can't afford school because of the rising costs. An education is unquestionably important for every person to have, because they are the ones who are going to take care of the world after we are gone. We can at least make it achievable for them to reach. Lowering the prices, or giving more money to lower income families for the purpose of an education sounds reasonable. It is essential for the continuity of human existence.

Sources

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
College May Become Unaffordable for Most in US-News Article

Beginnings of Black Education 

interview!



location : her office



time : 4:45



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