Why Teachers Are Silent on Race Relations

I just read an article in the Atlantic not too long ago called 'Why Schools Need More Teachers of Color for White Students'.  It was a compelling article. I have never myself experienced a black teacher.  Not in elementary, middle or high school.  Not even in college. When I came into teaching and have often been the only dark skinned staff person in a largely white school, I never really gave it much thought.  Until I started having the occasional black student. The only comparison I can give for how they looked at me was like...I was water in the desert. I got lots of random hugs from brown babies at all grade levels when I was in the hallway, or the cafeteria.  Often these exchanges happened with children I never taught.  I could tell that it made some of my white peers uncomfortable.  But...I never brought that up...and neither did they.  We just kept moving.
There are reasons as a black teacher I don't have legitimate discussions about 'race in my space'.
I'm going to share my thoughts with you from my perspective as a brown teacher, but my friend Sarah from There's No Place Like Second Grade is also going to share her thoughts from a non-brown teacher's perspective.  I hope you'll enjoy our tandem posts!

Politics, race & religion are widely considered conversational no, no's.

Most people avoid conflict, controversy, and change like the plague.  If you look at current times for an example, the recent debate about what the Confederate flag represents--or does not is something that I am sure most teachers of color have definitive feelings about.  When discussing my feelings on that topic, I will tell you it is MUCH easier to discuss it with other people of color.  Not because they would agree, but because they struggle with the same issues of bias, cultural conformity and institutional racism that I've been exposed to. There is that commonality...even if they want to argue freedom of speech.  There are some larger hurdles in discussing those same topics with white peers who may NOT be aware of their bias.

Contemplating your own personal bias is tough.

Contemplating your own personal bias is tough.  Really tough. I grew up right outside of New York City. When 9/11 happened, I struggled to work through issues of bias towards people I perceived to be Muslim or Arab.  In those days, people in some parts of New Jersey were being beaten badly...and they weren't Muslim!  They were Sikh.  Working past some of my misconceptions included reading about the Muslim faith, having a parent come in and talk about Ramadan, and building relationships with people who were of Middle Eastern descent.  It wasn't scripted, but...over the years, I worked on that...and in time, I didn't have that immediate mistrust that I did right after 9/11.  Having to discuss bias towards minorities when you ARE the minority in question is even tougher.  And even if you drum up the courage to start an authentic discussion...see point 1.

I dare say that most minorities are used to open discussions of race.  I know growing up, it was discussed almost daily in our home.  So, I'm always ready.  Why is it not happening in schools? Because people who are not yet ready to deal with their own biases are not open to having someone tell them that they may have some philosophies or belief structures that contribute to the problem. That's why.  This is true of teachers of ALL races--because we all have bias at some level.  If you are a non-minority teacher, and you have thoughts on bias and privilege and you really WANT to start that discussion with a teacher of color at your school, but have a bit of anxiety about it...here are some tips.

If you ask for feedback listen.

Legitimately stay silent and listen.  Do not start to make excuses for bias.  Do not deny the existence of white privilege.  If any of this happens during the conversation, you will shut down the conversation for sure.  If this is a colleague, it is a tough conversation to have...and I can tell you that not really listening will shut off the pipeline of communication that you agreed you WANTED before asking for the dialog.

Honor the ethnic reality of your peers.

If you are discussing cultural bias, and you are NOT the minority...you are not the expert.

I'm not trying to be harsh.  I'm just being honest.  Part of having the discussion means that you are willing to say...you know...I really DON'T know, but I think that YOU might...and I'm going to let you teach me some things because I do not understand your experience--but I really WANT to.

Give yourself some think time.

This experience may lead to you having to confront privilege or bias.

There may be a temptation to be defensive.

You will need time to process that...and it's okay to just say...thanks for sharing that with me, I'm going to take the time to really think about that so we can continue this.

That will work, whether you agree or not...

I would be pleasantly surprised to have more conversations about race that lead to positive movement towards understanding or acceptance rather than frustration.

The article I referenced is a good 'soft' place to start, if you're interested in exploring topics of race with your peers.  I trust that this year, you'll give it a shot and find understanding in an unexpected place!