Economic Inequality and Race: No, It Can’t Be that Bad…

Abstract

Teaching students about economic inequality and race is a challenging endeavor. There are significant differences in resources, wealth, income, education, and opportunities between racial groups in the contemporary United States. The disparities between racial groups in the United States are so large that students often have a difficult time coming to terms with the vast level of inequalities built into the system. This is especially true when we consider that American values such as individualism, hard work and effort are deeply ingrained in many of our students’ minds and life experiences. It is not easy to consider the possibility that life may not be as fair as students had previously believed. However, there are a number of ways we can help students see and understand racialized economic inequality in the United States. This chapter provides strategies, ideas, and resources to show students how institutions, structures, historical legacies, and racial policies in our country have direct consequences on racial inequality today.