My son attended a school for the gifted and talented in Philly. Most of the kids were black, but many were white or Asian with a few Hispanic.
It's not race, it's expectation. The parents (there's that dirty word) of these kids expected them to do well, pushed them and gave them opportunities for success. The school provided other opportunities. Many of these kids became Merit Scholars. All went to college, and as far as I know, all in my son's class rec'd academic scholarships.
If this girl is clever, her parents should look into a magnet or private school where being smart is the calling card, not something that sets you apart. None of the black kids at my son's school thought of themselves as an Oreo (or acting white) for being smart.
There are plenty of smart, high-achieving, high school kids of color. It's just that you don't hear about them because they are busy studying, engaging in after-school activities, or doing things with their families or church groups. They don't make the papers the way the criminals do.
Bump!
If this girl is clever, her parents should look into a magnet or private school where being smart is the calling card, not something that sets you apart.
*** That doesn't set you apart or threaten your life as it does in many NYC schools.