BCDI - Atlanta LEAN

I saw a great article Called Being "not racist" is Not Enough" in NEA Today magazine pages 28-30. It brought up some great information. It spoke about systemic racism and bias that affects teachers in their classroom management of children. The skills that are being passed down and taught are affecting students who are brown or black and it is especially affecting black boys. These skills or behavioral plans are negatively affecting black and brown students. It says that teachers' perceptions of students whether they are black or brown usually are that they are blamed for classroom disruptions and are put on IEP behavior plans. Then it goes on to say that the teacher will blame black boys every time. If a white boy acts up the teacher may talk to the student and/or provide a fidget toy but if the student is black the teacher may be more likely to view the behavior as disruptive or defiant and this usually leads to a referral, in-school suspension or an IEP for behavior. This is all part of systemic racism that is embedded in an organization's normal practices that in this case affect black boys and it can follow them all through their education. Before long that black student is trapped in a system that is intended to help but instead causes more harm. This is happening all across our nation. We as educators need to understand and recognize when this is being taught to us through the universities and through the different county trainings we receive throughout the school year. We need to remember to point out racial injustices or racial inequalities happening all around us. We need to know that having the absence of inequalities and discrimination is not enough. We need to support and achieve racial equality by being proactive and preventing racism and bias. We need to unlearn racist ideas and call out when we see them happening that is the difference between being non-racist and anti-racist. Then it recommends that educators visit this website nea.org/social-justice-trainings to find training about racial and social justice. I also found a book called "How To Be an Anti-Racist" by Ibram X. Kendi and" Me and White Supremacy" by Layla F. Saad. Another great book about systemic racism is called "The Color of Law" by Richard Rothstein. These books have made an impact on me and how I view the world around me. I highly recommend these reading materials to anyone who wants to learn more about this issue. What does everyone think about this topic? What are some ways we can prevent racism and inequality that we can do locally and in our school systems? What are you doing? what advice would you give to those who want to change and do better?