In a world with so much economic, social and political inequalities, education is not only a great equalizer, but an economic ladder, social capital and political empowerment. Today’s American immigrant is banking on the fruits of education. Ask any immigrant from any background, and they will tell you that their ultimate hope is education, for their children and communities.

There is a crisis, however, with education, specifically in immigrant communities and more specifically in marginalized communities. Having worked with immigrants from marginalized countries as a social worker in Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services and representing diverse multicultural students at the University of Maine, I have seen the extent of the crisis and how it translates from a dream into a nightmare.

Minorities and economically disadvantaged families are often isolated from the larger community due to their culture, beliefs and stereotypes. Their social participation is limited, further decreasing the chances of mobility to a better status. Most members of these communities seem to be unaware of this isolation and its devastating influences. Isolation means that information relating to education is inaccessible and when an 18-year-old high school graduate has to decide where to go to college, they lack the necessary support to make the right decision.

This necessary support includes financial literacy, career literacy, social literacy and emotional support. Financial literacy involves understanding the cost of education and how to cover that cost.

Career literacy is the skill to understand the demands of a future career and use education to meet those demands.

Social literacy is the ability to navigate the demands of friendships, family, faculty and academics while fostering meaningful relationships.

Emotional support is what sustains students through the hardships and hurdles of college and can come from family, friends, mentors and many other sources. With all these demanding needs, how do these immigrant communities, struggling to assimilate and survive, assure a quality education for their children?

After speaking to several recent high school and college graduates from these communities, a common pattern is visible. They seem to lack most of these vital resources and, at a time when student debt and fluctuating job markets are becoming an increasing burden, any deficiency in these necessities leads to a disaster.

A large part of this increasing disparity is driven by a misunderstanding of education and its long-term value. The members of these communities are content with minimum wage jobs that cover the basics and deliver comfort. In my personal life, having grown up in a poor community and tackling obstacles to receive education in the United States, I have come to understand the true value of education.

Education is a priceless commodity, a vehicle to a better life, to keeping up with the times and a rapidly changing world. Education may also serve as a method of socio-economic upward mobility and a way to improve one’s life.

These communities have a long way to go, but it begins with realizing the importance of change and education. There is no communal success and no better method of fighting stereotypes than collectively working toward a mentality that understands the urgency of education.

As the 21st-century advances, information and resources are more accessible, but they require vigilance and awareness. Let’s work together to help others and ourselves, as we pay special attention to how schools and education transform lives. As immigrants we do not need to be perfect, we just need to be prepared for an ever-changing world.

Favour Akhidenor works in Rumford with the Western Foothills Regional Program as a school social worker and is a doctoral student at the University of Maine, Orono.

Favour Akhidenor

Copy the Story Link