But when only Black children attend public schools, White voters find it in their interest to defund or underfund public schools.
Again, though, the numbers show that that’s not happening in Anniston.
Funny thing, you leave race out of it completely, and it means the same.
When only children attend public schools, voters find it in their interest to defund or underfund public schools.
I didn’t grow up in the South, but I know there was a private school started in my town for the primary purpose of segregation. I have heard that for many years they wouldn’t admit anyone who looked possibly non-white. Curly hair, tan skin (in a beach town) were possible rejection factors. Sure some explanations like cost and genuine concerns about quality explain some of the enrollment numbers but I have no doubt many parents choose the schools for racial reasons. My mother and all of her siblings were offered free tuition to the local private school. She turned it down on principle. A few other siblings went a year or 2 and one sister stayed and was Valedictorian of the first class.
Also, my town never really integrated. I imagine the same holds true for most places. I grew up in the black part. White parents would not drive there or take their kids there. Some of the reactions when I was initially offered rides home from school or sports practices were amusing (after I got over the initial bewilderment and all kinds of other feelings). And this was a solidly middle-class area. One of my neighbors holds elected office and a judge even lives across the street. Then there are several teachers, small business owners, city workers. But being around these people is unsafe and intellectually damaging, apparently.