The Idea of an Essay, Volume 4

146 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 4 students donot often attend academically rigorous institutions. Some specifically prestigious institutions subtly discriminate against low- income families, predominantly accepting students from wealthy backgrounds (Naylor, Wyatt-Nichol, and Brown 530). This factor alone deters bright, high-achieving African American students from attending academically rigorous institutions. Naylor, Wyatt-Nichol, and Brown observe African Americans primarily attend community colleges because of lower tuition and less minority discrimination, in general, than prestigious universities (530). In addition, community colleges do not hold the same standards as prestigious and private universities. The authors also contribute low African American college graduation rates to a lack of family income, not intelligence (Naylor, Wyatt-Nichol, and Brown 524). Students lack the monetary resources to complete degrees; thus, African Americans hold fewer degrees than Caucasians. The authors also note that higher education levels increase employability. Theoretically, increased education promotes personal economic stability. In addition, Naylor, Wyatt-Nichol, and Brown argue that improved education and socioeconomic status will challenge the public’s faulty, stereotyped view of African Americans as impoverished. In the authors’ opinion, if more African Americans attain college degrees, improved job opportunities and enhanced community socioeconomic standings would occur. Finally, the writers offer potential solutions to limit poverty’s academic effects on African Americans. Naylor, Wyatt-Nichol, and Brown propose that Congress forbid discriminatory university practices against minority or low-income students. In addition, Congress must “regulate pricing practices”, ensuring African-Americans do not adversely affect low-income minorities (Naylor, Wyatt-Nichol, and Brown 533). In doing so, greater access to higher education for African Americans will ensue. On the other hand, Whaley and Noël do not make significant contributions regarding poverty’s role in education; however, they suggest students from low-income families are less likely to attend college simply because of economic status. They also agree that higher levels of education directly improve employment rates. Likewise, Lynn also does not make significant remarks regarding the link between poverty and education. He does, however, disagree with Naylor, Wyatt-Nichol, and Brown because he does not believe