Comments on: A Portrait of the Teacher as a Good Young Racist

By: Barbara Saunders

Barbara Saunders — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:36:46 +0000

I grew up in a very Christian household. This line of discussion always intrigues me. I cringe when my liberal, secular friend demonize “Christians”, a position that I believe is often tainted with bigotry against Latinos and blacks. However, the subset of Christians I usually hear labeling this bigotry as “persecution of Christians” are socially conservative Christians.

Ironically, I hear these same socially conservative Christians attacking the socially liberal Christians as “not really Christian.”

The discourse around supporting or opposing Prop 8 is a great illustrative example. Many conservative Christians implicitly or explicitly claim the authority to strip Christian same-sex marriage law supporters of their stripes. Many secularists don’t bother with the precision in language that would prevent them from condemning “Christians” as “homophobes” or demanding that Christians be ashamed of their own faith, regardless of their social beliefs.

By: Thinking Liberally: Post-Election Thoughts: On Race

Thinking Liberally: Post-Election Thoughts: On Race — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:32:29 +0000

[...] sides of the aisle.Daughter of slave votes for ObamaAmazing. tags: politics, inspiration, raceA Portrait of the Teacher as a Young Racist | Beyond SchoolVery thoughtful, honest article about evolving attitudes about race, from a personal perspective yet [...]

By: Must. Read: 21-year-old on Slow Blogging | Beyond School

Must. Read: 21-year-old on Slow Blogging | Beyond School — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:12:35 +0000

[...] Blogging (a la Barbara Ganley) when Alan Levine at CogDogBlog wrote a post identifying my “Portrait of the Teacher as a Good Young Racist” post as an example. (What’s the old joke about the person who learns the definition of [...]

By: Mike Thornburg

Mike Thornburg — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:14:58 +0000

I was there for the moments at Elbert Long School. I’m in second row far right of first picture, seated next to Coach Moser in second. Like Clay, I learned the same lessons about skin color from the same 3 teammates he mentioned and a coach that he didn’t name. It could be why a locker room can be such a sanctuary for so many. A sanctuary but way more religious than church because half the people in the locker room aren,t faking it.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:32:03 +0000

Ok, so I’m not quite as old as you are. I’m 42, but my husband is 45. I am a typical American girl: my mother is some fraction of Native American, Irish, Welsh, English, and other white stuff; and my father was Dutch, Germain, and Scots Irish. I live in Oklahoma (three years). I am astounded at the amount of racism that is prevelent here. I don’t want to get started. Anyway, when President-Elect Obama won his bid for the White House, many of the children (15-17 year olds) freaked out. Many because their parents told them that he wouldn’t even make it to the White House. Some received text messeges regarding the election ranging from tasteless jokes to actual threats on the newly elected president to be. I spent every class period the day after the election calming these kids. Many had been told that Obama is the Anti-Christ. We did quite a bit of fact checking that day. I am glad that I had technology in my classroom that allowed for my students to see what I was looking at (I have a SmartBoard).
We have been studying non-fiction books. I generally choose Elie Weisel’s Night and Art Spiegelman’s Maus I (both about the Holocaust). This topic gives me a lead in to discussions about racism and genocides. This year the presidential elections demonstrated the need for discussions of real topics in school.
Thank you for your post.
Patricia

By: Clay Burell

Clay Burell — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:16:49 +0000

Hi Carol,

I’m glad you haven’t experienced any discrimination yourself, but surprised too.

The thing about this election is that it seems it was decided on the ability to communicate ideas. If Romney can do that if he ever runs for president again, I hope people listen.

By: Clay Burell

Clay Burell — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:15:03 +0000

Mary, like I’ve said to others in your class, change starts in the mirror. But I’m sure you know that

Thanks for the kind words.