Racial Disparities In Black-White Education: A Sociological Conflict Theory Explanation

Inequalities between African American and white public-school students have continued since desegregation with only slight decrease. Sociologists have attempted to understand how and why inequalities in education between Black and white students are still perpetuated despite desegregation being implemented over 50 years ago. Specifically, conflict theorists have attempted to explain the power construct that has purposefully put these differences in place. The focus of this research will be on disparities in education between Black and white students in America. The various disparities continuing the gap between Black and white education that will be focused on are historical practices and differentials in both funding and teacher credentials. This paper will analyze a set of hypotheses in accordance with these disparities. The hypotheses will have basis in conflict theory with emphasis on John U. Ogbu’s “acting white” theory. In correlation with these hypotheses, data and secondary analysis will be evaluated to reject or accept the hypotheses.