My class goes to Work Based Learning. We do actual projects for the Dekalb County Parks and Recreation Department. Most of my students are from south Dekalb which is predominately African American. Our student population is 90% African American. I was informed on Thursday we would be going to a new park to remodel a building. The park is very nice I was pleased to get to go there.
Later in the day an administrator asked to come and speak to the class. The administrator (African American) told the students that the patrons of that park would be suspicious of a group of African American teenagers at the park and that their behavior would have to be top notch or the patrons of the park(predominately white, upper middle class) would demand that the students be removed from the work site. I was initially appalled with what the administrator was saying and didn't understand why he had to bring race into it but after some thought I knew he was right and it was a matter that needed to be addressed. It had never entered my mind that for many of my students going to a park where the patrons were predominately white was like going to a foreign country and from eaves dropping on students conversations, some were nervous about it.
None of this had dawned on me at all. I had failed to be culturally sensitive.
Johnny,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this with the class. I know that Toni in our group is very involved in diversity training and I am going to see if she can maybe teach us all more about this on a Saturday. I am very sorry I didn't prepare you for this in NTI. There is so much I don't know! This is a sad story in that our society is this way. It is a good story in that you learned something and it will help us all learn. Dr. J.
Johnny
ReplyDeleteIts Unfortunate, but still very real. It seems to me that the administrator was more so giving you a fore warning. It sounds to me, that whomever he was in contact with to confirm the project, shared some of the concerns of the residence of that area. Because of the racial concern, be sure that you speak to your students about taking the opportunity to prove them wrong.
The percption of the students has already be formed by the white residence, now the students must do what they set out to do properly and respectfull and change their perception to a NEW REALITY.
Let you students know that SOCIETY has labeled them already and paved the road of bad behaviors, impovished mentality and negative attitudes for the African American male to travel; however, there are 4 roads at every intersection. The road leading to success still has potholes, detours and road blocks on it.(DIFFICULT TO TRAVEL) IIn other words, its a easier to travel on a smoothly paved road that leads to drugs, prison and death.
Call me or e-mail me if you need some help answering questions your students may have. GOOD LUCK
This is not surprising to me at ALL...I'm only surprised that "YOU" are caught off guard by it....Culture Diversity only help those that are placed in a control environment.ie, classroom, job, millitary,etc..
ReplyDeleteI am sure the same would have been the same even if a GROUP of teachers went to the same park!!
Truth is when we leave our"control environments" our personal opinions and beleifs...or ignorances take OVER!
Things aren't going to change...only get better!!!