Racism and Biases

So, I have told you that I teach in a high poverty school. But what I haven't told you, is that most of my students are Hispanic. I have students coming from Mexico, Ecuador, and many more places around the world. I only have a couple white children every year. I also have a few African-American children every year, but the majority of my classes are usually Hispanic.

I have found that Hispanic families value education very much. So, I am very appreciated by these parents. They appreciate all the time and effort that goes into teaching their children how to read, write, and speak English. Their appreciation comes in the form of kind letters and hugs at family nights. Those things do not carry a monetary value, but are much more meaningful. 

At the beginning of the year, I have my students write down their goals of what they want to be when they grow up. They write these on hot air balloons and put them on a bulletin board. The board's title is: It's not where you are… It's where you are going.  I direct their attention to this all year long and return their balloon at the end of the year. Anytime that things get hard and they want to give up, or even when behavior begins to be problematic, I call their attention to their goals. If you give up, then you won't make it. 

At the beginning of the year, I see the doubt in their eyes as I tell them that they can make it. They can go to college and that they can become whatever they want to be. However, by the end of the year, I have them firmly believing that they are as capable as any other student of reaching their dreams.

Lately though, I have been getting a little frustrated over the racism and biases that surround us. The Cheerios commercial that stirred a nationwide controversy is one reason. Adults calling each other names and degrading mixed families is appalling. I watched a worthwhile video the other day with children's reactions to the commercial and their response to the hatred.

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VifdBFp5pnw 

Why can't adults be as understanding and accepting as our children? What difference does it make what color we are? Does that alone determine who we are?

Another recent story was the outrage of a Latino American singing God Bless America at an MLB game. The tweets were horrifying! This gentleman was born in New York. He is an American through and through, yet he is condemned for the color of his skin. What is wrong with our society?

It is hard to teach and inspire those from different backgrounds because sometimes the cards ARE stacked against them. 

I believe I'll be starting the school year off with a discussion of prejudice and a viewing of the Cheerios commercial. We are all Americans, regardless of race.