The discourse surrounding racial equity in education in the political realm has changed drastically over the past few decades. This has been driven by an increased awareness of systemic racism and discrimination, as well as a growing recognition of the role of education in addressing these issues. In the past, political conversations about racial equity in education focused primarily on desegregation and access to resources. Today, the discourse has shifted to a more holistic approach that emphasizes creating equitable learning environments and outcomes.

In the past, the conversation about racial equity in education was often framed in terms of “equal opportunity” or “equal access”. This approach focused on providing equal access to resources and opportunities regardless of race. This was often seen as a way to level the playing field and give all students an equal chance of success. However, this approach often failed to address the systemic barriers that prevented students of color from achieving educational success.

Today, the discourse surrounding racial equity in education has shifted to a more holistic approach that focuses on creating equitable learning environments and outcomes. This approach recognizes that systemic racism and discrimination lead to disparities in educational outcomes and seeks to address these issues directly. This includes efforts to reduce the achievement gap, increase teacher diversity, improve school climate, and provide culturally responsive teaching. These efforts are aimed at creating equitable learning environments for all students, regardless of race.

The shift in discourse has had a profound impact on efforts to promote racial equity in education. It has led to increased awareness of systemic racism and discrimination, and a greater focus on addressing these issues directly. This has resulted in increased funding for initiatives aimed at reducing disparities in educational outcomes, as well as increased support for policies that promote greater equity.

However, there are still challenges and opportunities presented by new approaches to addressing racial disparities in educational outcomes. Many of these challenges are related to implementation, as well as a lack of understanding of the systemic nature of racism and discrimination. In addition, there is a need for greater collaboration between civil society actors and policymakers to ensure that initiatives aimed at promoting greater equity are successful.

Civil society actors can play a critical role in efforts to promote greater equity in education. They can help to raise awareness of the systemic nature of racism and discrimination, and advocate for policies and initiatives that address these issues. In addition, they can work with policymakers to ensure that initiatives are implemented effectively and that resources are allocated in a way that promotes greater equity.


In conclusion, the discourse surrounding racial equity in education in the political realm has changed drastically over the past few decades. This shift has led to increased awareness of systemic racism and discrimination, and a greater focus on creating equitable learning environments and outcomes. There are still challenges and opportunities presented by new approaches to addressing racial disparities in educational outcomes, but civil society actors can play a critical role in promoting greater equity.