they so desperately want it to be racism..but it ain’t gonna happen..
My lips are still trembling from the suppressed and well disguised rage I felt earlier today after having this same conversation in my American Government classroom. I've have taught high school deep in the inner city of the 4th largest school district in the nation for about 15 of my 20 years in the system. I see this everyday, but the "discussion" today makes me want to look at early retirement. Or maybe a transfer.
Why the difficulty today? Well the kids were all upset because one of their ENGLISH teachers (I teach American Government and Economics) was chanting about how Obama has SAVED the nation from the recession and turned around the job situation! Look, I don't horn in on teaching the subject of English, why are these folks pushing a social studies false agenda? I can't complain lest I be labeled the dreaded "R" word myself! Nothing I said made a dent. NOTHING. I put the links on my LCD screen and clicked them. In the end, it may not matter whether it's racism or NOT. In the end, it may well be all about perception for the inner city. The perception is: This is THEIR President. His moment in the limelight is their moment, too. His accomplishments are theirs and they will defend him and whatever he does literally to the death.
This is no joke to my students and their families. I have to recognize this new dynamic and tread very carefully. I have been working in the Lion's Den for a long time. The lions have grown to respect me and they have grown used to my presence. But under the right circumstances, they're not above taking a bite. These lions don't mess around when they bite, either. Last year a math teacher (pure sheep) made a misstep and got his jaw busted in three places right outside his own classroom. When I was asked about that particular incident and if I ever worried about my own safety, I gave the sheepdog answer: Son, I'm too young to die and too old to take an A$$ WHUPPIN', so .... I'm just gonna kill ya. Eyes wide as dinner plates my students just whispered in reply: Yeah, we kinda figured you'd say something like that. I need to remember that "slaughtered sheep" from last year and keep my eyes peeled, ready to act if necessary.