My Journey Through Special Education to Social Advocacy

6/16/2025

A photograph by Christopher Singh shows Singh looking at his academic performance taken in The Bronx. 

When I arrived at college, one of the most fascinating subjects that piqued my interest was anthropology and sociology. While majoring in anthropology, much of my work was rooted in both disciplines. As part of my elective courses, I took several sociology classes. My first sociology course was called “Education and Society,” where I explored the deep racism and discrimination that sociologists often refer to as institutional racism—racism embedded in the very framework of the education system.

For example, I have long been interested in special education, as I was a special education student myself. When I was in the education system, I knew nothing about anthropology and sociology; it was at Lehman College that I discovered my love for both subjects. I have often written about my experiences in special education and my observations during high school.

We must confront and eradicate the racism rooted in our education system through advocacy and collective action.