they are lucky to get an education at all
Something that Marcie Helen said reminded me of a conversation I had with my lead teacher. We were talking about the changing demographics in the area that this school is located. Ten or so years ago, most of the school's population was African American. Now, it's about 1/3 Hispanic, 1/6 African American and 1/2 Caucasian. My point is coming now.
She said she liked the old demographics better. I just listened. She went on to explain herself.
She said she liked it because African American parents weren't involved. I couldn't believe it. Well, I should have known by this point in our relationship, but I was still surprised to hear it. She continued by comparing how parent involvement has changed. Now, she said, parents are always coming into the classroom, commenting on the things that she has up in the classroom, and giving suggestions.
Well, yeah! It's called being a part of your child's education.
She continued, saying that African American kids are much more compliant and she never had to deal with their parents coming into the classroom. They just trusted her. They liked it when she disciplined their children. They appriciated the structure. The parent's didn't question her.
She said 'They were just happy that they got to get an education at all.'
I was thinking, what did she mean by that? How horrible is that? Is she assuming that African American families are just so happy to get an education at all because there is nothing else for them? That they wouldn't care that she threatens children and that Caucasian or Hispanic parents do because they want more? That they are lucky, since they are African American, that they even get to go to school? That African American parents don't care about their kids well being?
I didn't even know what to think. Then I found out she is married to an African American man. Figure that one out.