Original Sins: The (Mis)Education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism

I bought this hard back copy brand new, or so I thought. I opened it up and there are stains on the book throughout the pages.- some kind of dried substance that I don’t know what it is. Very disappointed.

Every teacher should read this book.

I agree with the author that the public education system is broken Other than that this book is totally racist garbage.

A phenomenal work on how American schools were shaped by slavery and colonialism, exacting a lasting toll on the descendants of Africans enslaved by white settlers, and the indigenous inhabitants of Turtle Island decimated by the settlers’ genocidal onslaught.

Ewing's work is seminal in the history of education - and the steps necessary to change our broken system.The text begins by outlining the history of education in the United States. From the beginning, the education system painted a clear picture for how Black and Native students would be treated: as laborers who lacked the intelligence and culture to be of any value to the white supremacist, capitalist society. For Black students, this met education in agriculture and labor; for Native students, it meant forced assimilation and the erasure of their culture. From the beginning, these ideas were reflected in education policies and the foundation of schools for these students.Then, Ewing discusses the way that these ideas continue to influence our education systems today. With "tracks" designed primarily for minority students seen as incapable, poorly funded Black schools, and a system designed to punish, exclude, and "civilize" Black and Native students, the United States's education system continues to perpetuate these ideas built into the education system centuries before.Ultimately, Ewing argues for a new system of education. The inclusion of Black and Native peoples - working together to address their shared struggles - could create a new education system designed to work for our children. Instead of centering on vocational training and punishment, it should focus on love, respect, and higher expectations for our children. While Ewing acknowledges that this will not be easy - and may look vastly different from the "schools" we have now - she makes it clear how vital it is to change before it is too late.Ewing's work is well-researched, clearly and concisely argued, and beautifully written. Her work is vital to the field of education. It forces all teachers to take a look at our education system to make radical changes to centuries of racism built into society.