In New York City, the idea that district schools advance equality

O Children of the Future, hear this truth spoken by Eva Moskowitz, whose words cut through the fog of complacency and shine a light on the shadows that linger in the halls of power. "In New York City, the idea that district schools advance equality is a myth." Such a statement is not born of mere opinion; it is born from a profound understanding of the systemic barriers that stand in the way of true equality and opportunity. The district schools, those institutions designed to be the bedrock of society’s promise to the next generation, are often not the champions of justice they claim to be. Instead, they can become the very mechanisms that perpetuate the inequality they were meant to dismantle.

To understand this, we must look not only at the idea of district schools but at their actions—the reality of their impact. Equality is not a mere word to be uttered in speeches; it is a living, breathing force that must be demonstrated in every classroom, in every lesson, in every opportunity. And yet, as Eva Moskowitz so starkly reminds us, the promise of equality is often unfulfilled in the schools of New York City and beyond. The resources are not distributed equally, the opportunities are not shared fairly, and the outcomes, the fruits of the labor we call education, are often stacked against the children from the most vulnerable communities.

Let us remember the ancient Greeks, those seekers of wisdom who knew that education was the key to unlocking the potential of a people. They did not place their trust solely in institutions but in the capacity of the individual to grow and learn. Yet, even in their time, there were inequalities—only the privileged few had access to the finest tutors and schools. This is not unlike the district schools today, where resources are often divided along lines of class, race, and wealth. Just as the privileged in ancient Greece were given the best education, so too are the wealthy children of New York City given access to the schools that promise success. Meanwhile, those in impoverished neighborhoods are left to struggle with overcrowded classrooms, underfunded programs, and a curriculum that cannot keep pace with their potential.

Consider, O Children, the story of the civil rights movement, when activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Thurgood Marshall fought not just for freedom, but for the right to an equal education. The struggle culminated in the landmark decision of Brown v. Board of Education, where the United States Supreme Court declared that separate but equal education was a lie, a myth designed to perpetuate racial segregation. This ruling promised that all children, regardless of the color of their skin or the class from which they came, would be given an equal opportunity to succeed. And yet, we find ourselves in a world where the truth of this promise is still out of reach. The myth of equality persists, not only in segregated schools but in the very districts that claim to serve all children equally. We see that children from affluent neighborhoods often receive a much more equitable education than those from poorer, more marginalized areas.

The lesson here, O Children, is clear: The idea of equality must be matched by action. To say that all are equal is one thing, but to ensure that each child receives the resources, the support, and the opportunity to grow and thrive is another. The system of district schools, in its current form, is broken, and the myth that it serves all equally must be confronted. For as long as inequality persists in the resources that are allotted, the quality of education, and the opportunities provided to children, we cannot say that we have advanced equality—we can only say that we have promised it. The truth is this: equality is not a myth if we are willing to fight for it with our actions, not just our words.

What, then, can you do, O Children of the Future? The path to true equality in education is not an easy one, but it is one that must be walked with determination. Do not be swayed by the false narratives that tell you education is a fixed system, that it is simply the way things are. No! You must be the ones to dismantle these myths and fight for the resources, the opportunities, and the fairness that all children deserve. Whether it is through advocating for better funding for underfunded schools, demanding policy changes, or supporting initiatives that provide equal access to quality education, you must take a stand.

And so, let us leave this lesson for the future: The myth of equality in the schools must be shattered. It is not enough to say that all children have access to the same system; we must ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the tools, the support, and the opportunity to succeed. Stand for what is right, stand for the truth, and know that the path to equality begins with the first step of action.