The subject of race in unavoidable when considering social inequalities in schools. History has unnecessarily made monsters out of whites, blacks, Asians, and every other ethnicity in the world. It has also provided the masses with stereotypes, preconceived notions, and inaccurate portrayals of these races.
A person is a person, no matter what color he is. However, it is impossible to take this stance, if one views a man as a member of a race and not an individual entity- another man. A human being.
Unfortunately, even in the 21st century, racism is still a major problem in the world, as well as our schools. This brings me to my next point. My personal experience with race in school. I grew up in a middle class neighborhood my whole life. As a child, I was innocent to the politics of race and social segregation. I had black friends and white friends. This continued throughout my twelve years of schooling. I didn't care if you were black or white. As long as you were a legitimately friendly person, I liked you and was proud to have you as a friend, or even an acquaintance.
Now I'd like you to consider the following. Imagine you are an person from, let's say, Germany who is on his or her way to America to visit family. You have never seen a black person face-to-face before. All you know of this race is Michael Jackson (before he went off the deep end), Lil' Wayne, and what you've read on the internet or seen on the news of blacks committing crimes. Then you hop off the plane, arrive at your destination, which happens to be in a lower-middle-class neighborhood, and see black people everywhere; Groups of them loitering on street corners near foreclosed houses with graffiti all over the place. How terrified would you be?
Stop.
Sure, some neighborhoods may look like this. Yeah, it may be scary if you have no experience in dealing with black people. But this is just one of many misleading stigmas that have an effect on how people perceive a specific race of people.
The same goes for whites as well. Have you ever been to a trailer park? Have you ever seen a random white guy walking down the street talking to himself and begging people for change? Do you know anyone who uses crystal methamphetamine for "recreation"? Maybe you have and maybe you haven't. But even if you haven't dealt with any of that, it's out there. And chances are, you have a preconceived notion about people in those circumstances.
"Oh, those people are white trash."
"Just keep walking and avoid eye contact with the crazy man, kids."
We have no idea what these people have been through and how they arrived at their current destination. But that doesn't stop us from discriminating against them.
Now this may have been a depressing read, but I believe that if one doesn't think about race and racism in a realistic light, then he is feigning ignorance out of fear of confronting this important issue.
So I'd like to ask this of you: The next time you see a kid walking around with his ass showing, or a fellow who has scabs on his face and is itching his arm to the point where it's bleeding, stop and acknowledge the fact that, yes this person is different, and he may not be as well of as you. Recognize his differences and try to put yourself in his shoes. Then let any racist or discriminatory ideas evacuate your mind. Finally, accept him as a human being and wish him the best of luck.
Who knows. This guy could be your boss one day.
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