When Can We Talk About Race? (Michael + Trayvon + Renisha + …)
This is often the way education conversations go:
Higher-Up: Hey, so what do people want to talk about?
Teacher 1: Can we talk about teacher evaluation?
Higher-Up: Sure, what’s on your mind?
Teacher 1: Well, here it goes. [long diatribe about how great / terrible Danielson is]
Higher-Up: Well, OK. Anyone else?
Teacher 2 (of color): Can we talk about race now?
Higher-Up: Sounds complicated. We need a more appropriate forum for th …
Teacher 2: But this is urgent. We’re having serious issues going on and so many of our kids are of …
Higher-Up: OK, OK, OK. We’ll get to it in a more appropriate forum. Anyone else?
Teacher 1: Can we talk about teacher evaluation?
Higher-Up: Sure, what’s on your mind?
Teacher 1: Well, here it goes. [long diatribe about how great / terrible Danielson is]
Higher-Up: Well, OK. Anyone else?
Teacher 2 (of color): Can we talk about race now?
Higher-Up: Sounds complicated. We need a more appropriate forum for th …
Teacher 2: But this is urgent. We’re having serious issues going on and so many of our kids are of …
Higher-Up: OK, OK, OK. We’ll get to it in a more appropriate forum. Anyone else?
Teacher 3: Let’s talk about Common Core.
Higher-Up: What about it?
Teacher 3: My thinking is [even longer diatribe about Gates' involvement and how great / terrible standards are for kids]
Higher-Up: I hear you. That’s relevant. Anyone else?
Teacher 2: Can we talk about race now? (with a little more emphasis)
Higher-Up: I still don’t think we’re ready. We’re really dealing with this issue and I’d rather we be better informed and nuanced about race before dealing with it.
Teacher 2: But half the people here don’t actually know what the CCSS is, the layers, and why they’re either for or against any of it and …
Higher-Up: SO everyone should have an opinion on the CCSS, so I allowed it.
Teacher 2: UGH!
Higher-Up: What about it?
Teacher 3: My thinking is [even longer diatribe about Gates' involvement and how great / terrible standards are for kids]
Higher-Up: I hear you. That’s relevant. Anyone else?
Teacher 2: Can we talk about race now? (with a little more emphasis)
Higher-Up: I still don’t think we’re ready. We’re really dealing with this issue and I’d rather we be better informed and nuanced about race before dealing with it.
Teacher 2: But half the people here don’t actually know what the CCSS is, the layers, and why they’re either for or against any of it and …
Higher-Up: SO everyone should have an opinion on the CCSS, so I allowed it.
Teacher 2: UGH!
(skip to the last teacher on the list …)
Higher-Up: Anyone else?
Teacher 100: I want to talk about the deleterious effects of poverty …
Teacher 2: OK, so are we going to talk about race here?
Higher-Up: Now, I said we needed the right forum …
Teacher 2, agitated: NOOOO! YOU WAIT FOR THE RIGHT FORUM! ALL Y’ALL HERE TALKIN’ BOUT ALL YOUR SINGLE LITTLE ISSUE BUT DON’T WANT TO FACE UP TO THE REALITY THAT OUR KIDS LOOK A LOT DIFFERENT THAN OUR STAFF, THEY DON’T WANT YOUR STINKING MIDDLE CLASS / UPPER CLASS VALUES, AND WANT TO When Can We Talk About Race? (Michael + Trayvon + Renisha + ...) - The Jose Vilson:
Teacher 100: I want to talk about the deleterious effects of poverty …
Teacher 2: OK, so are we going to talk about race here?
Higher-Up: Now, I said we needed the right forum …
Teacher 2, agitated: NOOOO! YOU WAIT FOR THE RIGHT FORUM! ALL Y’ALL HERE TALKIN’ BOUT ALL YOUR SINGLE LITTLE ISSUE BUT DON’T WANT TO FACE UP TO THE REALITY THAT OUR KIDS LOOK A LOT DIFFERENT THAN OUR STAFF, THEY DON’T WANT YOUR STINKING MIDDLE CLASS / UPPER CLASS VALUES, AND WANT TO When Can We Talk About Race? (Michael + Trayvon + Renisha + ...) - The Jose Vilson: