It is wonderful to celebrate Juneteenth and the history behind June 19, 1865 as these pictures show from Hoboken High School and City Hall earlier this week. I applaud and honor all those who took part in the celebrations and ceremonies. It is also a time to reflect on the failures of the Hoboken School District in mathematics and reading instruction throughout the district concerning our African American students (see Chart 1 and Chart 2).
We must hold and embrace the complexity that this moment requires. Bringing together history and the present to make way for a future that is worthy of all the beautiful and extraordinary talent of Black students in Hoboken. We hope that reflection takes place with the humility, compassion, and courage necessary for real transformation to take root.
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| Chart 1- NJDOE ELA 2023-24 |
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| Chart 2- NJDOE Math 2023-24 |
But let’s be clear: reflection without action is performative. It’s easy to pose for pictures and quote from history; it’s much harder to confront the uncomfortable present. The truth is, Black students in Hoboken are being failed academically (see Chart 1 and Chart 2), year after year, in a system that has every advantage—small class sizes, strong funding, stable staffing. These are not the conditions of scarcity. These are the conditions where excellence should be the norm—and yet, that excellence is not being delivered equitably.
If we are serious about honoring Juneteenth, we cannot look away from the data. When only a fraction of African American students are reading and doing math at grade level, it’s not a coincidence—it’s a systemic breakdown. And it is time to name names: school boards, superintendents, administrators, and yes, classroom educators all share in the responsibility for these outcomes. Equity is not a buzzword—it’s a deliverable. And right now, it’s being underdeliveredand underprioritized.
Hollow celebrations mean nothing if they’re not backed by bold leadership and measurable progress. We don’t need more hashtags and photo ops—we need accountability, urgency, and a plan. Hoboken owes its Black students more than symbolic recognition. It owes them a future.
