Do You Have A Trayvon Martin In Your Class? [Huffington Post]

by Jose Vilson on March 21, 2012

Excerpt:

The first step always starts with a teacher’s current crop of kids. The one question I always ask myself when students walk in is, “What do I see?” Then, “What do I think I see?” I’m laying down some of my general assumptions for me to probe, then trying to understand why I feel that way. Sometimes, these assumptions come from observations I’ve made about the world, but often, they come from hearsay and stereotypes I’ve also inherited. Red herrings like black hoodies, big earphones, and unbelted low-hung pants might tell me that the person in front of me has no respect for any classroom courtesies, but he could just as easily be making a countercultural fashion statement. He might spend as more time on the block or in his house helping his mother. He might actually care about what I have to say or he doesn’t on that particular day for any number of reasons.

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Jose, who can’t keep the secret in anymore …

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Asad March 21, 2012 at 2:41 pm

This is a problem from the microscopic case of Young Treyvon to the macroscopic cases of unjust profiling, incarceration, denial of employment, and so on that have been endemic of the subconscious superiority complex of many White Americans.

In this case, the problem lies with them, not with us. Just my opinion.

ms_teacher March 21, 2012 at 4:19 pm

Hey Jose,
This story has made me angry, upset, and sick to my stomach.

It is my hope that this is a catalyst for change. we can do better. Why aren’t we?

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