Current Events & Hot Topics
http://thegrio.com/2013/01/17/white-privilege-lesson-in-wisconsin-high-school-draws-national-attention/
As most of you know, I am greatly interested in how we are handling discussions regarding race and class within our schools.
What do you think of the parent's concerns in this story? And how do you feel about the material and how it is presented?
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National attention has been drawn to a Wisconsin high school’s “American Diversity” course after one parent alleged that students are being taught white people are oppressors of minorities, reports Fox News.
One parent of a Delavan-Darien High School student spoke to Fox News.
“They’re teaching white guilt. They’re dividing the students,” this parent told said. ”They’re saying to non-whites, ‘You have been oppressed and you’re still being oppressed.’”
The parent, who requested to remain anonymous, claims she became alarmed by the content on some handouts that her 18-year-old son brought home from school.
A class handout defines “white privilege” as:
A set of advantages that are believed to be enjoyed by white people beyond those commonly experienced by non-white people in the same social, political, and economic spaces (nation, community, workplace, income, etc.)
Students were also instructed to visit the toy section of a local Wal-Mart, where they were to count the number of white dolls versus the number of black dolls.
School district superintendent, Robert Crist told Fox that “a lot of red flags go u in my mind when I look at the materials. Her concern has merit.”
“Ideally, you would want to present one theory that might be way on the left and another theory that may be way on the right and if you find one in the middle you can present that, too,” he continued. “Now you have a well-rounded discussion in my opinion.”
Crist noted that the course has been suspended, while it is under review.
Replies
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I take issue with the resulting feeling/emotion this approach brings on FOR all the students.
How can a brown child not feel resentment?
How can a white child not feel guilt?
Are both of these emotions just part of the package? They might be. -
IMO race relations lately have become overly involved, especially regarding our elementary aged kids. I feel thankful that we don't have these kinds of flyers and memos being handed out within our school district.
In all seriousness there is only so much a school can do to promote the adjustment and behavior of children within the district. The rest falls upon the parents, relatives and the community in which they live and those they frequent.
The tension that comes to the surface after flyers like the this are passed around isn't always worth the 'positive influence' that is supposed to help bring about change, understanding and tolerance. I use the word tolerance loosely because tolerance is the wrong approach.
I am so exhausted by the articles I read, especially within this group, regarding race and effect by class, income, morals, values, education, difference and tolerance. People in general need to be taught to be respectful and to shut the hell up about stuff that is irrelevant to them. It isn't hard to comprehend that stereotypes can be hurtful even if they are true. Words and hateful name calling carry weight and are hurtful.
As for teaching white guilt. That's dumb. I suspect that while there may be a few sympathetic readers on this material it will only serve to piss off people who were never annoyed by other races in the first place.
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I don't think teaching white priviledge teaches guilt, I think it teaches empathy. And anyone who thinks it doesn't exist is blind. Non white kids don't need to be taught about white priviledge, they see it all around them.
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I am white and feel no guillt, my children feel no guilt. We are not oppressing anyone by the mere color of our skin. I regard this material as propaganda and would petition for it to be removed from the school.
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Quoting onethentwins:
I don't think teaching white priviledge teaches guilt, I think it teaches empathy. And anyone who thinks it doesn't exist is blind. Non white kids don't need to be taught about white priviledge, they see it all around them.
How do they see it "all around them"?
Examples? -
Quoting Veni.Vidi.Vici.:
IMO race relations lately have become overly involved, especially regarding our elementary aged kids. I feel thankful that we don't have these kinds of flyers and memos being handed out within our school district.
In all seriousness there is only so much a school can do to promote the adjustment and behavior of children within the district. The rest falls upon the parents, relatives and the community in which they live and those they frequent.
The tension that comes to the surface after flyers like the this are passed around isn't always worth the 'positive influence' that is supposed to help bring about change, understanding and tolerance. I use the word tolerance loosely because tolerance is the wrong approach.
I am so exhausted by the articles I read, especially within this group, regarding race and effect by class, income, morals, values, education, difference and tolerance. People in general need to be taught to be respectful and to shut the hell up about stuff that is irrelevant to them. It isn't hard to comprehend that stereotypes can be hurtful even if they are true. Words and hateful name calling carry weight and are hurtful.
As for teaching white guilt. That's dumb. I suspect that while there may be a few sympathetic readers on this material it will only serve to piss off people who were never annoyed by other races in the first place.
I think this type of thing, this curriculum, is relevant to ALL.
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I'm a "minority" and never once felt oppressed by "Whitey" while growing up. I was taught to respect everyone, even if they were different and that the world was my oyster - success was mine if I was willing to work for it. -
Quoting Radarma:
Quoting Veni.Vidi.Vici.:
IMO race relations lately have become overly involved, especially regarding our elementary aged kids. I feel thankful that we don't have these kinds of flyers and memos being handed out within our school district.
In all seriousness there is only so much a school can do to promote the adjustment and behavior of children within the district. The rest falls upon the parents, relatives and the community in which they live and those they frequent.
The tension that comes to the surface after flyers like the this are passed around isn't always worth the 'positive influence' that is supposed to help bring about change, understanding and tolerance. I use the word tolerance loosely because tolerance is the wrong approach.
I am so exhausted by the articles I read, especially within this group, regarding race and effect by class, income, morals, values, education, difference and tolerance. People in general need to be taught to be respectful and to shut the hell up about stuff that is irrelevant to them. It isn't hard to comprehend that stereotypes can be hurtful even if they are true. Words and hateful name calling carry weight and are hurtful.
As for teaching white guilt. That's dumb. I suspect that while there may be a few sympathetic readers on this material it will only serve to piss off people who were never annoyed by other races in the first place.
I think this type of thing, this curriculum, is relevant to ALL.
IMO it's stretching, over thinking and causing to much internalization.
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That parents' "white guilt" is showing and it's a hard pill to swallow. Boo-hoo the little white boy is upset because now the world he thought he knew is not in reality- THE reality.
And OF COURSE the class is suspended because God forbid an American teenager feels any sense of emotional angst.
As I said before (and I will say again) ONLY IN AMERICA!
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Quoting Veni.Vidi.Vici.:
Quoting Radarma:
Quoting Veni.Vidi.Vici.:
IMO race relations lately have become overly involved, especially regarding our elementary aged kids. I feel thankful that we don't have these kinds of flyers and memos being handed out within our school district.
In all seriousness there is only so much a school can do to promote the adjustment and behavior of children within the district. The rest falls upon the parents, relatives and the community in which they live and those they frequent.
The tension that comes to the surface after flyers like the this are passed around isn't always worth the 'positive influence' that is supposed to help bring about change, understanding and tolerance. I use the word tolerance loosely because tolerance is the wrong approach.
I am so exhausted by the articles I read, especially within this group, regarding race and effect by class, income, morals, values, education, difference and tolerance. People in general need to be taught to be respectful and to shut the hell up about stuff that is irrelevant to them. It isn't hard to comprehend that stereotypes can be hurtful even if they are true. Words and hateful name calling carry weight and are hurtful.
As for teaching white guilt. That's dumb. I suspect that while there may be a few sympathetic readers on this material it will only serve to piss off people who were never annoyed by other races in the first place.
I think this type of thing, this curriculum, is relevant to ALL.
IMO it's stretching, over thinking and causing to much internalization.
So you think the "lesson" is unnecessary?