These are personal reflections on a problem that we feel should be addressed at an institutional level in Tucson, Arizona. The following are three incidents that reflect a deeper problem where discrimination is allowed to exist and even flourish.
Putting our Children at Risk
Imagine being told that Tucson Unified School District had once again decided to start their local schools in August of 2024. There was clearly heard grumbles from parents as they opened their car doors to be hit by 146 F degrees heat and as fast as staff could work to sort out the kids the parents suffered.
The walkers were also in the same boat as not only having to walk to school to collect their children at 2 pm they were collecting children as young as 5 old and having to walk them home for distances of up to 1 and a 1/4 miles.
The Appeals Procedure
You would think the school district would be sympathetic after all they do have an appeals procedure for parents withing the 1 1/4 miles. Sadly, requests were not just turned down but parents were not even notified of their decisions. In my mind that is neglect and institutional racism against non car owners.
It should be pointed out that up to 40% of Tucson’s residents don’t drive. Tucson has a bus service to be proud of that is currently popular and free.
Government Institutional Racism
Visiting the Social Security office on 1st Avenue is something all Tucsonan’s experience at some time or the other. The experience has never been pleasant but it is still something that needs to be done for important personal for personal reasons.
Roll on to last week where the Social Security Office decided to change their rules. Did they put notices on their website? No.
An institution where an appointment was not needed changed for people wanting to request a copy of their social security number, register a change, ask for a replacement card, etc. Having visited the local Social Security website it was not obvious that there had been any changes. It was also not easy to see where an appointment could be booked.
The following day we checked the website and it was not possible to book an appointment as the system was restricted to residents who already had a passport or had a drivers license or state id.
This meant the only way to book and appointment was by phone and as all locals in Tucson can tell you, that is not a call you would like to make due to long holds and staff that are not always helpful.
Why is Respect Not Taught to Government Employees?
In our particular case we did explain to one of the members of staff that we needed just a copy of the social security number so our oldest daughter could apply to go to college and there was a deadline.
This reason was dismissed by the member of staff and the other 50 people in the queue behind us were very likely to get a similar reaction. To add insult-to-injury a regular announcement was being made saying that although the system had changed they would consider requests.
A Free Thanks Giving Giveaway That is Not Free
Imagine as a parent of multiple children in the Tucson Unified School District that a offer of a box of goodies would be a big incentive to get up early and visit a local school to collect before supplies ran out. That is exactly what 4 of my family decided to do on a chilly morning here in Tucson.
They walked about a mile to Palo Verde High School for the opening at 8 am. On arrival some parents were clearly seen walking into the school but we were turned away because we were not in a car. I questioned the official on the gate and she in turn contacted her supervisor.
Cars Only
The answer came back that parents were not allowed to collect a box on foot. However, if we wanted to wait until all the cars had gone in we would be allowed in.
We had a 5-year-old with us, but they refused to waive their policy, seeming unreasonable. We went on and did some shopping locally and 2 hours later we passed the school in a Uber. The line of cars was still there.
I did speak to one of the parents in a car after she asked why we were refused entrance. Upon explaining she said that is just not fair. It was doubly unfair as the original flyer never mentioned that only cars were allowed.
In Summary
These are three incidents from a personal perspective and I have ignored a number of lesser events where access was denied. However, I think that the public has a right to know that this is going on in Tucson in 2024.
Not using a car isn’t always a choice, consider learning disabilities when making decisions affecting children.
Sources: THX News & Ivan Alexander Golden.
