Busing
"The lack of diversity they experienced in their previous
schools hurt their understanding of different cultures."
Listen
to this Commentary!
By Avery White
I went to a private middle school that has one black
child out of 300 students. I now attend a public high school that's
about forty percent black, thanks to the "M to M," or
minority to majority program. The program brings kids from areas
of town with struggling schools to my high performing school in
a different community. I think the program benefits everyone.
I remember the reaction of my friends who had never been to a public
school when they enrolled in my high school: "Oh my gosh! I've
never been around black people before!" they said. The lack
of diversity they experienced in their previous schools hurt their
understanding of different cultures. Some of them were even racist.
Our school is still no racial utopia. But over time, my friends
have grown more comfortable around students who aren't white, through
classroom collaborations and plain old friendship. I have bonded
with many "m to m" students, and can't imagine what my
high school experience would be like without them.
The minority to majority program is helping to shape brighter futures
for many children. I hope this system continues to thrive.
I'm Avery White.
Avery White is a student at Dunwoody High School in Atlanta, Georgia.
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