Air conditioning is for the good students

Growing up, I never truly understood the problems IPS faced as I was more worried about my own academic and social upbringing. These problems have become more apparent and widespread as I've developed. To say that progress has not been mad, would take away from the work of hardworking teachers and staff; however to say, things are "as they should be," would be a gross misinterpretation of reality.



Although a singular problem,  the fact that 14 IPS schools lack air conditioning is frightening, to say the least. You're telling me kids, not adults, but kids, make their way to school in handed down clothes after eating a sub par breakfast to enter an environment nearly incapable of learning? And the "powers that be" say, "Oh they'll be alright, we have fans."

Cmon Son... Fans? Really?

To describe the school environment is one thing, but for a great number of these kids their home lives are much worse. School is a release. Not to say that Indianapolis is a bad city or that in a general sense things are terrible, because it can be a great place to grow and develop, but with a everything there are people less fortunate who struggle to make ends meet.

Its that 9 year old kid waking up in the morning hoping his mother has enough money to send him to get milk in the morning for his three younger brothers.

Its that 12 year old girl to ashamed to tell her friends at school why she's had on the same clothes.

Its that 18 year old, who isn't reading near his grade level due to his hostile environment, but outside the classroom his street knowledge has seen him through tough times.

I hear stories like these and I begin to understand how the seeds of poverty sprout trees of despair. The difference between the "haves" and the "have nots" spreads further every day and the "have nots" spend their whole lives doing the unthinkable to "have" anything.

But you go in the classroom and you see the exact same things. There is some kid sitting in one of those desert classrooms thinking, "no one cares that I'm sweating through my shirt and its only 9am." Its not wonder why reports come out saying, "50% of black males graduate college" (Via CNN) when conditions are as such.

Sure, part of the solutions lies with students doing their part, but when everything around them can be interpreted as a lack of care from those with the ability to make changes, the defeatist attitude becomes more apparent.

I can sit on my soap box all day, but I'd rather help.
What can I do?
What can we do?