ChihulyGlass
General Manager
I attended a Zoom meeting for my department. While listening to the presenter I noticed an increasing number of non black faces in the "room." More than last year and the year before. Do you see a pattern? I teach in a predominately African American school system. We do not have the best reputation in our state for many reason, one being behavioral issues.
In the last four years I have been seeing an influx of Caucasian teachers getting hired in the system. A lot of them are transfers from OTHER WHITE schools. I just feel like they're moving in on my space. I know I don't own the school system, but I just feel some kind of way.
Perhaps my heart is in the wrong place. Once, I finished school at predominately white institution, I swore that I was never going to teach in a Caucasian school. I just don't like the energy non whites bring. First they have this takeover spirit. Like they just ban together and takeover all leadership positions. They're always given more credit and respect than Black teachers. The kids are afraid of them, so they'll try the white teachers harder than the black ones. I hate the way my peers ( other black teachers) suck up and cherish everything they do and say as if it is the law.
Last but not least, in my program, I've noticed that a lot of these teachers are transfers. Meaning they were teaching at more affluent, white schools ( the ones I probably couldn't get hired at). Then for some reason they decide ( or were forced) to teach in Black system. It was as if, the Black system was a second choice for them.
That is not the case for me, a Black woman. The system I am in, has always been my first choice. I just like being around my people................when they act right. Believe it or not, I want to see Black and Brown kids succeed. Plus I enjoy teaching the kids who are rough around the edges. As a child I respected adults but I was rough around the edges myself. I was getting into fights, never did my work and so on. I just can't relate the clean cut children. I get bored where everything is normal. Once I observed at this very rich, white, elementary school. By noon, I suffered a huge panic attack seeing all their little faces smiling. Look at those bright colored walls. I remember thinking at other school I tutored at, there would be a fight by now. Or the school would go under lockdown because someone fired a gun into the community. Or the janitors would get into a shouting match with each other on the hall. I know, terrible. Once you are conditioned to that kind of work environment it is hard to get use to normalcy. I have been doing this for over 10 years. I just don't like these people evading our turf. I feel like Zulu Warriors when the white infiltrated their tribe under the guise of friendship and respect.
In the last four years I have been seeing an influx of Caucasian teachers getting hired in the system. A lot of them are transfers from OTHER WHITE schools. I just feel like they're moving in on my space. I know I don't own the school system, but I just feel some kind of way.
Perhaps my heart is in the wrong place. Once, I finished school at predominately white institution, I swore that I was never going to teach in a Caucasian school. I just don't like the energy non whites bring. First they have this takeover spirit. Like they just ban together and takeover all leadership positions. They're always given more credit and respect than Black teachers. The kids are afraid of them, so they'll try the white teachers harder than the black ones. I hate the way my peers ( other black teachers) suck up and cherish everything they do and say as if it is the law.
Last but not least, in my program, I've noticed that a lot of these teachers are transfers. Meaning they were teaching at more affluent, white schools ( the ones I probably couldn't get hired at). Then for some reason they decide ( or were forced) to teach in Black system. It was as if, the Black system was a second choice for them.
That is not the case for me, a Black woman. The system I am in, has always been my first choice. I just like being around my people................when they act right. Believe it or not, I want to see Black and Brown kids succeed. Plus I enjoy teaching the kids who are rough around the edges. As a child I respected adults but I was rough around the edges myself. I was getting into fights, never did my work and so on. I just can't relate the clean cut children. I get bored where everything is normal. Once I observed at this very rich, white, elementary school. By noon, I suffered a huge panic attack seeing all their little faces smiling. Look at those bright colored walls. I remember thinking at other school I tutored at, there would be a fight by now. Or the school would go under lockdown because someone fired a gun into the community. Or the janitors would get into a shouting match with each other on the hall. I know, terrible. Once you are conditioned to that kind of work environment it is hard to get use to normalcy. I have been doing this for over 10 years. I just don't like these people evading our turf. I feel like Zulu Warriors when the white infiltrated their tribe under the guise of friendship and respect.