You are absolutely correct. I remember reading Pygmalion in the classroom. If you tell teachers the kids are smart, they treat them that way...and vice versa. If you teach them them they are racist, they will become so.
My entire generation experienced set asides and affirmative action. We were none too happy about it. But we lived with it. I lost jobs because I wasn’t black....was told so... But THAT wasn’t racist. They got paid for having kids out of wedlock. I limited the size of my family because I couldn’t afford the number of kids I wanted.
I made sacrifices. I worked hard. I experienced discrimination AS A WHITE WOMAN.
Now my kids had to stand in class and apologize for being white. I earned multiple degrees... No pell grants, scholarships. I paid for them.
I lived overseas and experienced life as an outsider. I have a degree in engineering but returned to a life of service as a teacher....TO HELP.
I tutored for free. I provided food for free. I cave up my lunch hour to counsel kids. I gave to charities. It was never enough. It will NEVER be enough.
My kids live a life of service...IT IS NEVER ENOUGH.
I AM DONE. GO AHEAD AND CALL ME A RACIST.
THIS IS SO WRONG.
When everything you are willing to offer will still not be enough, the correct response is to offer....nothing.
They will still hate you, but you still have your time and assets to spend on what you like.