When my partner and I faced the decision of whether to send our children back to in-person school, it took us about a week to reach a conclusion. As a multi-ethnic family—I’m African American and my partner is from Sri Lanka—we were keenly aware of the implications our choice would carry. My partner, who has experience as a sixth-grade teacher, and I, with a background in educational nonprofits, were eager for our kids to return to the classroom. We carefully reviewed our district’s reopening plan, communicated with our children, and reflected on our decision through prayer.
Ultimately, we settled on a hybrid model where our kids attend school two days a week and learn from home for the remaining three. Though we did not explicitly mention it in our discussions, we understood the importance of having our children physically present in school. However, many Black families across the nation have opted to keep their children at home full-time, prioritizing safety amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While some communities have embraced a more politically motivated approach to reopening schools, Black communities continue to bear the weight of systemic racial inequalities.
Research shows that individuals with pre-existing health conditions are at a higher risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. According to the U.S. Department of Health, Black individuals are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and 40% more likely to have hypertension, which can lead to heart disease—the leading cause of death in the Black community. For families like mine, where my partner has diabetes, the decision to send children back to school is fraught with life-or-death considerations. With the death toll surpassing 225,000 in the U.S. and thousands of new cases reported daily, it’s understandable that Black families are apprehensive.
A recent article from Chalkbeat highlights that Black and Latino parents are generally more cautious about returning to in-person schooling compared to their white counterparts. This skepticism is a direct reflection of the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on communities of color. In many cases, the choice to keep children home is a matter of protecting loved ones, such as grandparents or relatives with underlying health issues.
When Black families choose to keep their kids engaged in remote learning, they are exercising a right that has not always been accessible to them. They are taking proactive measures to safeguard their health, particularly in light of the glaring disparities in healthcare access. According to US News, approximately 13.7% of adults aged 18 to 64 lacked health insurance in early 2019, with racial disparities evident: 27.2% of Hispanic adults and 13.6% of Black adults were uninsured. My family is fortunate to have health insurance, allowing us to seek medical care without the burden of financial anxiety, a privilege that not all families share.
The decision to prioritize health over education is compounded by the reality that Black students often face discriminatory treatment in schools. Research has shown that Black students are disproportionately subjected to disciplinary actions, such as suspensions, which can exacerbate educational inequalities. For example, a 2013 report revealed that in one California district, 235 out of every 1,000 Black students received out-of-school suspensions.
Ultimately, the choice to keep Black children home is a complex one, involving considerations of both physical health and educational equity. While my family opted for hybrid schooling, I fully comprehend why some Black families have felt they had no alternative. The struggle between health and education is an ongoing challenge, particularly for families of color, who are faced with distinct obstacles.
At the end of the day, every family must make choices that align with their unique circumstances. As parents, we continuously navigate difficult decisions, and the challenges faced by families of color are often more pronounced. As we move forward amid the pandemic’s second wave, the ability to choose what is best for our families has never been more critical.
For more insights, you can explore one of our other blog posts here. Additionally, for authoritative resources on home insemination, check out Make a Mom and Johns Hopkins Medicine.