When Skin Color Becomes an Issue
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This is a sensitive issue so I would first like to clarify my intention. I am trying to inform and I am not venting nor ranting at anyone. I do not bear any ill will towards anyone in particular. I write this because I think it is an issue that some of us do face in different parts of the world. As such, I would like to share my thoughts on how I went about it, so here goes...
Not long ago, my school asked if we could pitch programs that we could organize to help students learn new skills. Many programs were pitched, but what the school really wanted was something that was good and free. They finally settled on my idea. I used to represent my state in swimming tournaments and I proposed to teach swimming for free to the students.
It was a good idea, they did not need many teachers to ensure the program was executed, they only needed me. In addition, it does help the students learn a new skill. So I drafted the program and pasted the sign up sheet to gauge the students' response. The slots were filled in a day and many students were excited. Some even offered to help with the administrative duties just to ensure the program was a success. They were even willing to pay for some of the cost.
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There was much hype and excitement. However, the news came from the higher-ups. They were going to cancel the program because it was not 'feasible'. One of the perks of having friends among the administrative staff was that they will tell you the real reason why certain programs were not approved. I was told, in private that the real reason was because the person in charge did not like that most of the students who signed up were of one particular race and claimed that swimming was an 'indecent' activity. The administrative staff chose to tell me because she did not agree with it and thought I should know.
I was disappointed, but not as much as the students who were very excited about this. I really wanted to tell my students the real reason behind the cancellation. I wanted to rant and vent about the racism that is a disease and how it can cost students learning opportunities. I wanted to tell them to learn from this and never repeat such backward thinking when they are in a position of influence.
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I wanted to do all those, but did not. I told them that I had no idea why and that I would continue to look for other opportunities to pitch the same program again in the future. I did this because I knew that if I tell them this, it will only cause more resentment. I wanted to limit their exposure towards the negativity that is found in education at times.
As teachers, it is our responsibilities to protect our students against as much negative influence as possible. Despite how unhappy we are about something, we should never allow that unhappiness to trickle down to our students. That was why I chose not to tell them about the racist decision, that their skin color and background mattered. I would rather have them channel their energy elsewhere, towards more meaningful projects.
After reading this, you may disagree with my actions and I welcome your thoughts on the issue. Steemit is an excellent place for us to discuss and share experiences such as this. Before I end this, I left on good terms with the person in charge. I sincerely wish that individual well and have promised myself to never allow this to happen if one day I am placed in a decision making position.
Speechless... but this happened, and is happening and most probably is going to happen again and again (sadly)... But sometimes really can't understand why everyone can't just live peacefully and happily together.
I so agree on this - people confuse me, especially the ones that do not believe in 'live and let live.' Resteeming
Thanks, I do hope that things change, wouldn't it be nice if judgement is not skin deep...
The world would certainly be a better place
Racism is such a menace and I wonder when it will stop. You did the right thing. As a teacher, you have to be protective of their feelings and you cannot make them feel hurt and sabotage their self-esteem as a result by sharing that news with them. I do hope that higher ups get their head straight some day and think more about the students for a change.
Thanks, appreciate it. Would be nice if they start basing things on merit instead of the color of someone's skin.
No other words can better describe our pivotal roles as teachers. The reality is that it is difficult to escape from the 'skin issue' looking at the country, its current systems and conventions. It is definitely sad to have watered down a great learning opportunity just because... you know, we know. Plus, we are literally in the 21st century education. While change may be slow for some schools, our hope as teachers is further transformation - a big, happy dose of open-mindedness.
That's true, nothing comes out of certain policies implemented. I guess the only thing we can do is do our part in implementing change in our own classes and our situations
That's so true! Small change and then, let it brew.
@alvinauh, I am sorry that this happened to you and many other students.
I respect your decision to not inform the students of the real reason, but right before I found your post, I heard my wife teaching my children about Martin Luther King Jr.
Sometimes we have to give people the chance to respond to the injustices of this world. Of course, I always prefer peaceful protest and two sides coming together to conduct civil discussions.
I wish you the best in the future. I hope that many the students you were advocating for have the chance to realize their dreams.
Thanks! Yeah, my students are adults and while it is good to let them voice out their opinion, I didn't want to get them into trouble. Their scholarship could be revoked even if they did a friendly protest..thus the decision.
Always love reading about Martin Luther King, what he did should be added into the syllabus here,many could learn a lesson or two from what he did
Knowing how to swim can save your life, not knowing how can end it if you end up in the water. I don't agree with how you handled the situation though, keeping the truth from the students about the situation just compounds the problem in my opinion.
The administration got away with their racist tactics, and the students were kept in the dark and not able to stand up for themselves when treated unfairly by the administration because they didn't know of the situation. We all know that life isn't fair, so the sooner that these kids know the better they can be prepared to deal with it,
just one man's opinion, mine.
I agree, but I did not want to escalate the situation, especially if I get the students or some of the staff in trouble.
That's so ridiculous! And you probably already have a swimming pool, regarding the "indecent activity" bit. And it doesn't sound like this decision is coming from concern of parental backlash either, in which case it makes the situation sightly different but no less racist.
About exposure, it sounds like revealing the information would also put you and your source in a bad position. You would need to position this from a perspective of gaining community support if you wanted to reveal it, and you would probably need proof, because the higher up can easily manage PR from a different angle and it would not help you.
About right or wrong, I don't know, and could probably say that I would have acted similarly. Maybe you don't need the school to host this activity though. You could do the program anyway and negate whatever excuses the administration is making up.
I'm just blabbering though, I don't know how best to navigate this situation. Hope it turns out for the best!
No worries, you make really good points. I have omitted quite a lot of details actually. If you were to hear some of the details that I intentionally took out, it would make sense, especially with the person's background and personality. Also, the institution in which this incident happened has a way of running things, so bureaucracy at its finest.
Well, its all good now, just hope that people would be more objective in the future
Racist has been influence even on the kindergarden level nowadays, and I'm not surprised racist continued that way until the education and people's mentality changes.
Higher-ups always use racist card from their sleeves when they disagree, dislike or even wanted to win over something.
Some are doing it for their survival.. It won't happen if there are no politics in education. All we do then is just focus on teaching and building up the next generation, that should be what matters most
I'm saddened, but not surprised to hear about this problem in Asia. We have the same situation in Taiwan, but it is usually expressed by a very small number of older, narrowminded (but highly influential) people who will absolutely deny that they are “racist”.
Jealousy and prejudice against people from different ethnic groups is part of human nature. Expressing these feelings in public is not socially acceptable anymore, so some people resort to devious pretexts.
In your case, not saying anything was probably the right decision: you need to choose your battles wisely (I am familiar with your country: your students will figure out what's what on their own).
An individual who dares to speak out will be mercilessly crushed by the powers that be, usually for obscure reasons. Negotiations by a group of influential people are probably the only way to resolve such situations.
A long time ago, I occasionally met with the same problem in Taiwan (I've been quite lucky, actually). Young people today are much more open-minded and accepting.
I'm glad, the issue faced here is known by many. It was interesting because when I was overseas they questioned on the rationale of the policies such as the one mentioned. The person in charge unfortunately could not give a good answer. Maybe one day through dialogue, policies will change. As for my students, oh, they know and they are hopeful that things will change.
any time someone starts whining about 'racist'.
I shun them thereafter.
Life is too short to waste on whiners.