A question of race
 

Hey Everybody!

Sorry I've been gone so long.... a sister's been busy! I'm facing a dilemma right now, and who better to ask than my greekchat buddies? I am currently teaching at a high school that is approx. 90% white. I came to the school because it had a really good reputation as far as test scores and access to materials (my fellow teachers can identify with the importance of that!) There are about 75 teachers on staff here; three are black. I am seriously considering going to an inner city (black) school in the fall. When I listen to my students complain about how terrible their lives are (Daddy took my car!), I feel like the world's biggest sellout. I think that I am not making a difference in anyone's life, especially MY OWN! But on the other hand, the few black students that are here talk about how bad things were before the other black teacher and I came. So what do I do? Stay for a few or leave for many?

Convinced...

Well, I'm not a teacher but I am a college student that attends the University of Minnesota @ Morris which although it boasts the highest percentage of minority students amongst the whole U of M system it is still predominantly white.

I would like to offer this advice to you.

I suggest that you stay at this school.
I'm saying this because you could be someone that those students of color can depend on. Seeing as there are only 3 other teachers of color there. But more importantly, your presence at this school is just as crucial as if you went to an inner city school.

For many of these white students it is the first time that they come in contact with an educated black woman. They need to be aware that we are not just cooks and golf caddies (though there is nothing wrong with these professions).

At my school, I have actually met white students who have never met a person of color...period. And then they get here and its some kind of culture shock and they have all these prejudices and biases that an activist student like myself is forced to deal with.

Hopefully your presence at this school will empower students of color but also make white students aware of whats going on with people of color.

I don't know what class you teach but my strategy, which is my plan when I teach high school, is to drop some multi-cultural knowledge on my students.

I plan on teaching Government and/or U.S. History...so in addition to those sad history books we will have selected readings from "Souls of Black Folk", "Soul On Ice", "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" and other such readings that will enlighten ALL my students about the TRUTH of our Nation.
I hope that this helps you.

Peace

[This message has been edited by lastpoetnsite (edited February 26, 2001).]

Hi Convinced,

Why did you choose to be a teacher? Now that you've done it, do you like it? Was it worth all the preparation? Here's a new way for educators to make a tough decision: write down on one side of a piece of paper the reasons WHY YOU SHOULD leave, and on the other side, THE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T. Whichever side has the best/most reasons, gives you the best choice. Be completely honest and thorough when doing it. This might help.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

[This message has been edited by The Original Ape (edited February 26, 2001).]

Hi Convinced,

This is definately a difficult question. I guess its a matter of deciding where you could make the greater impact.

Some might feel that the black students at the you school you're at now already have tremendous advantages over children in urban schools, and that while your presence in your existing school may contribute to the comfort level for black students, your presence in the urban school may mean life or death for some.

Then again some may argue that middle/upper class blacks are always being neglected, and that they need the support just as much as their inner-city counterparts, maybe even more.

I doubt that I have helped. It's tough because I have been in both situations as a student. I guess its a question of existance (urban)or quality of existance(suburban)?

Whoah!

All I can tell you is to do what is best for you and your situation. There are many teachers who are on the opposite side of the spectrum who would LOVE to be in your situation based on what they deal with on a day to day basis. Many will feel that you have it made, girl, so why would you want to leave "heaven" only to go to "hell"?

I say "hell" because of the "pressures" many (we) teachers are facing. Most of the schools with the poorer performance are those schools in the lower-socioeconomic areas of districts. These schools tend to have limited or few resources/materials. So you have to think about that...are you willing to accept the "burdens", "pressures", etc. of this?

Then, we are not talking about the issues of the students. That is ANOTHER topic all together. Then the administration...are they supportive of their teachers?...all of that comes into play. So you need to access your ENTIRE situation at that school and base your decision from that.

Good luck...

I meant to tell you I applaud your concern for our youth, and your committment to our people. Many teachers don't concern themselves with civic and racial duty; they think it's a farce. It's about time hearing one of our own caring for our own. I felt compelled to thank you for caring in a world of careless people.

For what it's worth...

Well as a person who attended an all white private highschool it was very inspiring to see an African American teacher every day and she wasn't even my teacher. Your presence there is very helpfull to those minority studnets there so never underestimate the gift you are giving by teaching there.

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#1 DRAMA QUEEN
Spring 2001
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY INC.
GAMMA EPSILON CHAPTER