To many, the United States represents a place where equality and freedom are engraved in its foundation. However, despite the supposed end to segregation and discrimination, inequality still persists in our streets, institutions and everyday lives. This week’s reading of the CQ Researcher was a continuation of last week’s in that it spoke to the discrepancies in statistics regarding African Americans, Caucasians and Hispanics.

According to the reading, the mean net worth of a white household is said to make 13 times more than that of a black household. To hear about the economic injustices is one thing, but to see the data to back it up and the huge margin between the two groups is astonishing. How is it that in the land of opportunity and prosperity this drastic difference occurs? With the data the CQ Researcher provides, many see these disparities as a result of institutionalized racism existing in most, if not all, areas of life. In Urban Issues, researched showed that 7% of black 12th graders were proficient in math compared to 29% of white students and 16% of black 12th graders were proficient in reading compared to 47% of white students. With times growing tougher and a high school diploma not meaning much nowadays, the lack of an adequate education creates hurdles for anyone trying to get to the top or simply trying to find a job. With the inequalities taking its toll at such crucial ages of learning combined with mass incarceration, killings and a lack of role models in their areas, it becomes hard to stop the cycle of racism and often poverty.

The ideas touched on in Urban Issues illuminated on the constant struggles African Americans and other minority groups face in the United States whether it be through law enforcement, the education system or in the workforce. While there is no easy, single and direct solution to this problem, a plausible fix can start with equal opportunity to a quality, well-rounded education. A good education leads to awareness that can be used to detect and combat corruption and injustices which can then be used to improve the greater society.