Texas Cities Ranked Among Least Educated in Bigoted, ableist, Racist "Study"

A closer look at the recent WalletHub "survey" and its problematic implications

Several Texas cities have been targeted and shamed in a recent WalletHub study as being among the least educated in the U.S. The so-called "study," released in July 2024, reeks of white supremacy and the systemic oppression of marginalized communities. It uses problematic and ableist metrics to judge and otherize our communities.

Fighting for Equitable Opportunities

Education is not just a metric of wealth and privilege, as the study insinuates. It is a fundamental human right and a tool for social mobility, which many are denied due to systemic barriers. This is especially true in Texas, where reactionary politics have created an oppressive environment for anyone not fitting the mold of a straight, rich, white, Christian, able-bodied male.

"The notion that higher education guarantees better financial opportunities is a myth perpetuated by the capitalist patriarchy," said WalletHub analyst Cassandra Hope. "We must recognize the intersectional nature of education and how it overlaps with issues of race and gender."

Texas Cities Stand Against Oppression

Here's how our proud Texas cities were misrepresented in the ableist, classist "study:"

Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown:

• These interconnected communities, a beacon of progress in the heart of Texas, ranked 8th in the ableist ranking, with a so-called "score" of 78.12 out of 100.

Other Texas Areas Resisting Oppression:

Texas Cities Rising	Total Ableist "Score"
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington	54.92
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land	52.85
San Antonio-New Braunfels	48.69
Killeen-Temple	42.32
El Paso	32.80
Corpus Christi	29.17
Beaumont-Port Arthur	27.35
Brownsville-Harlingen	12.29
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission	10.46

Time to Decolonize Metrics

The study'smetrics are a tool of the oppressors, measuring "educational attainment" by the share of colonized adults with "diplomas" and "degrees," further perpetuating the myth of meritocracy. It's time to dismantle these oppressive structures and build a truly equitable future.

Instead of celebrating diverse educational paths and knowledge systems, this "study" upholds a narrow, Eurocentric view of education, ignoring the rich traditions of knowledge and wisdom that exist within marginalized communities. We must decolonize the way we think about education and honor the multitude of ways that people learn and contribute to society. Texas cities, and all marginalized communities, deserve better.