12 Feb 2014

Philo 25
Roster # 28

Federal argument:

Federal law, under the authority of the Department of justice title IV and VI
demands an equal treatment in regard of punishments on the students. It also
prohibits public school districts from discriminating students based on
characteristics such as race, gender, religion, disabilities and sex. Racial
discrimination in our school system is becoming a serious problem and the
department plans on initiating investigations from complaints of students, parents
and other people who are victims of discrimination.
Although surveys have proved that most school arrests and delinquents
are in fact African American and Hispanic students, it is still not right to apply
stricter punishment on them than on White students who get in trouble.
Promoting an equal treatment in regards of punishment creates a positive
learning environment for both students and teachers. Applying punishment rules
on students based on race is illegal, unfair and a very unintelligent approach to
prevent delinquency. It also begins a negative process called "school to prison
pipeline", which creates a negative reinforcement of that same negative behavior
in students of color. Meaning it will increase their probability of school
suspension, drop out and getting into trouble with the law.


Opinion:

I agree with this article and the message it promotes. Applying negative
stereotypes will only aggravate the problem and reinforced the behavior. Telling
blacks an hispanics that all they can be is a criminal will plant a seed that will
grow over time. Each time they look in the mirror, all they will only see the
reflection of a bad guy. n

Values:

Equality: If all men and women are created equal, then we should all be treated
equally in regards of both rewards and punishments.

Intelligent analysis: Making judgments based on stereotypes are not only
wrong and stupid, but also very easy. It requires very use of our mind. However,
and intelligent analysis approach although difficult and requires a lot of mental
effort, is more effective in the long run. Not only you get to the bottom of the
issue, but may even solve it and prevent it from happening again.

Diagram:

Premise 1: Federal law prohibits public schools from discriminating students
based on race, gender, sex and religion.

Premise 2: Punishing students based on their race and ethnic background will
begin a negative reinforcement behavior in the student and he is more likely to
repeat the same actions.

Conclusion: Therefore all students who commit delinquent acts must be
punished not in accord with their race or skin color.