From the Classroom to the Economy: Virginia’s Government Must Shift Priorities

By Jalen Vince

For many people in Virginia, where they live and the quality of their education determines their future. This is especially true for students like me, who attend state-funded schools while also working to make ends meet. We're feeling the effects of the need to protect both our education system and the state's economy. Rising inflation and the cost of housing are making it harder for Virginia families to get by. It's time for the government to stop interfering in our schools and instead focus on fixing the economic problems Virginians are facing.

Housing costs are soaring, and the average Virginian is struggling with inflation while wages stay the same. In the last ten years, rent prices have gone up by almost 25%, much faster than paychecks. It's not just housing — groceries, gas, and utilities have also gone up. For those of us who work while in school, this is a big deal because these rising costs add to the burden of student loans and education expenses. People who are already struggling to pay rent or buy food shouldn't have to worry about whether they can afford school, too.

Instead of trying to control what gets taught in our schools, the government should focus on fixing the economy. As a member of the NAACP, we've worked hard to keep politics out of public education. Lately, though, we've seen too many efforts to control what students learn, especially around topics like history. This goes against the idea of education, which is to give students the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. Students deserve to learn the full truth, not just what's convenient for politicians. Instead of attempting to control the narrative in our classrooms, the state should concentrate its efforts on economic reform and inflation control to ensure that the next generation can afford to live and work here.

Virginia's future depends on protecting our education system from political interference and fixing the economic issues that are making life harder for families. The government needs to leave education to the experts and focus on solving the state's economic problems like inflation and rising living costs. Only then can Virginians hope to preserve the American Dream, which feels more elusive by the day. Let us demand that our lawmakers focus on real issues and solutions, not distractions.

Jalen Vince is a Democracy Fellow in Virginia, working with the NAACP to mobilize Black voters.