Introduction
This paper aims to relate the concepts of and the paradoxes behind equity, efficiency, security, and liberty to a news article titled San Francisco students suspended over racist ‘wigger party’ by Kale Williams (2016). It reports the incident where over twelve high school students were suspended from San Francisco’s St. Ignatius College Preparatory for taking part in a “wigger party,” a racist themed party where White individuals emulate the culture of African Americans through a depiction of the stereotypes in mannerisms and clothing (Williams, 2016).
Equity
The news article depicted the paradox behind equity in that although the school tries to ensure equality among the students by ensuring that everyone is treated with respect, the school’s board is comprised mostly of Whites and the wealthy, which likely influences the politics of the school’s board and the policies implemented by the school, as well as the school culture that prevails. However, although this depicts an imbalance in the school board’s membership where the African Americans seem to be underrepresented, this is not questioned and is still seen as somehow fair (Stone, 2012).
Efficiency
The concept of efficiency is depicted in the news article through the 2010 appointment of Matthew Balano as the Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion. This can be considered the school’s investment into ensuring that diversity is welcomed in the school, that is, that everyone feels included regardless of their race or cultural background.
The paradox behind efficiency is that the initiative of hiring the director does not seem to show an efficient use of the school’s resources since incidents like the wigger party still takes place. The news article also indicated that such incidents were not new in that some of the former students who were interviewed stated that they were not surprised by the incident. Also, it can be questioned whether the hiring of Balano is intended for the benefit of the students (i.e. to ensure respect for diversity within the school) or for the benefit of the school and the school board (i.e. to improve their image or reputation).
Security
The concept of Security is depicted in the news article in the fact that St. Ignatius College tries to make the school as safe as possible for all the students. It also shows how the school tries to fulfill the students’ relational needs or the needs for relationships (Stone, 2012) by making sure that everyone feels included. However, while the minority students’ security may be ensured and protected, the incident with the suspended students may indicate that the school is not a safe place for them.
Liberty
The concept of liberty is depicted in the article in that the students’ liberty is restricted by the schools rules and laws (Stone, 2012). This can be seen in the way that, although the students are entitled to exercise their freedom of speech, this freedom was restricted when they were suspended for holding a wigger party, which can be considered as a way of expressing oneself; hence, a way to exercise ones freedom of speech. These laws and restrictions were imposed to protect the freedom of African Americans so that they may be able to live as they want to without fear of being ridiculed. In this regard, the freedom of the suspended students was restricted in order to ensure the freedom of the other students, particularly the minority students.
References
Stone, D. (2012). Policy paradox: The art of political decision making. W. W. Norton &
Company.
Williams, K. (2016, January 28). San Francisco students suspended over racist ‘wigger party.’
San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved from http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/san-
francisco-students-suspended-over-racist-%E2%80%98wigger-party%E2%80%99/ar-
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