When my partner and I faced the decision of whether to send our children back to in-person schooling, it took about a week to come to a conclusion. Our family is multi-ethnic; I am African American, while my partner is of Indian descent, and our children are mixed. Having experience in education—my partner as a former sixth-grade teacher and myself in the nonprofit sector focused on education—we were eager to return our kids to the classroom. We weighed the safety measures for teachers, staff, and students during the COVID-19 pandemic, thoroughly examined our district’s reopening strategy, and engaged our children in discussions.
Ultimately, we opted for a hybrid learning model where our kids attend school two days a week and learn from home for the other three. Although we didn’t explicitly voice it, my partner and I recognized the importance of having our children physically present in school. However, many Black families across the nation made a different choice, opting to keep their children at home full-time as a precaution against COVID-19. While various communities and school districts have wavered in their reopening decisions, Black communities continue to bear the weight of systemic racial inequalities.
Research indicates that individuals with pre-existing health conditions are at a higher risk of severe outcomes from the virus. According to the U.S. Department of Health, Black individuals are at a greater risk for conditions like diabetes and hypertension, which can lead to serious complications, including heart disease—one of the leading causes of death in the Black community. For families like mine, where my partner has diabetes, sending our kids back to school isn’t just a logistical decision; it’s one that could have life-altering consequences. With the pandemic claiming over 225,000 lives in the U.S. and new daily cases peaking at around 71,000, it’s understandable that Black families harbor significant fears.
A report from Chalkbeat reveals that national and state polling shows Black and Latino parents are more hesitant about in-person schooling compared to their white counterparts. This hesitancy likely stems from the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on communities of color, which have experienced higher mortality rates from COVID-19. In communities that have been severely affected, the choice to keep children home, while challenging, becomes an obvious one. Sending a child back to school is not merely an educational decision; it potentially endangers the health of loved ones, such as grandparents or relatives with existing health issues.
When a Black family decides on remote learning, they are making a decision that has not always been available to them. They prioritize their health and safety, particularly given the glaring racial disparities in healthcare access. According to US News, as of mid-2019, 13.7% of adults between 18 and 64 were uninsured, with higher rates among racial minorities. I consider my family fortunate to have health insurance, enabling us to seek medical care without the constant worry of financial strain—a privilege not commonly shared among many in our communities.
Black parents are prioritizing safety for themselves and their children by opting for remote learning. However, health concerns are not the sole reason for this choice; discrimination in the classroom can also be a factor. A 2013 report on American education highlighted that in a California school district, out of every 1,000 Black students, 235 faced out-of-school suspension, exacerbating the educational disparities that exist.
For many Black families, the decision to keep their children home is a matter of life and death, balancing safety against the risks of COVID-19 and the potential for academic discrimination. While we chose to send our kids to school, I empathize with families who see no other viable option. The choice between health and the education system as we know it is a complex one, particularly for families who have fought for their place in the classroom.
Ultimately, we must prioritize what is best for our family, carefully evaluating the available options. As parents, we constantly face tough choices, and for families of color, these challenges are often more pronounced. As we navigate the ongoing pandemic, the ability to choose what is best for our loved ones has never been more critical.
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Summary:
Many Black families are opting to keep their children at home for remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic due to health risks and systemic racial inequalities in education and healthcare. While some families, like mine, have chosen a hybrid model, numerous families prioritize the safety of their loved ones, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by communities of color. The choice between health and education has become increasingly difficult, highlighting the unique struggles that families of color encounter in these unprecedented times.