Episode 23: Are Private Schools Truly Indefensible? With Author Caitlin Flanagan
Episode 23: Are Private Schools Truly Indefensible? With Author Caitlin Flanagan
Is private school a good idea? For anyone? For students of color and their families, navigating the predominantly white spaces of a private school is typically a series of challenges. But it’s not because we are having issues, it's because America is having issues.
In this episode, a conversation with writer Caitlin Flanagan about what's wrong with private schools. Her recent cover story for The Atlantic magazine "Private Schools Have Truly Become Obscene" says the problem with private schools is the perpetuation of systemic elitism in our country, historically and still today staked to race and class. Flanagan's thesis is tied to something we say on this show almost every episode: The very presence of Black students and families offers more to private schools than the schools have to offer us. We are the gift. Yes, Black and brown students -- whether they pay full tuition or get some financial aid -- graduate from private schools and mostly go on to top colleges, already growing a strong network.
But do we really want to be there, regardless of the costs? Our guest makes this analogy, reminding us that in his memoir, President Obama says he hasn’t given up…on America, yet.
SHOW NOTES
Read Caitlin’s article in The Atlantic
Learn how Private School Village (PSV) builds community by providing programs, sharing resources, and organizing events for Black families in private schools. In partnership with schools and parents, PSV centers this work around increasing racial socialization, racial literacy, representation, and related research.
The Private School Axis provides services and community for families of color on their independent school journey, from admissions through graduation.
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Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic