Racism

My Friend’s Daughter Was Called a “Nigger” Today at Her Summer STEM Camp
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My Friend’s Daughter Was Called a “Nigger” Today at Her Summer STEM Camp

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My friend’s daughter was called a nigger yesterday at her University of Miami STEM camp. Her angry mother, after experiencing and responding to this event, wrote the following. Toxic white women and toxic white feminism starts as little girls crying crocodile tears on the playground after they deny Black children their humanity. I wish I… Continue reading My Friend’s Daughter Was Called a “Nigger” Today at Her Summer STEM Camp

White Privilege and White Fragility: A Dangerous By-Product of Hiring Majority-White Teachers.
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White Privilege and White Fragility: A Dangerous By-Product of Hiring Majority-White Teachers.

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

Last week’s guest blog post by Long Island teacher Mark Jackett garnered much attention; over 105 comments were exchanged in the Facebook thread. It is my experience, coupled with my reflection on the experience, that prompted me to write this post today. To me, as a Black teacher with a platform, it is imperative that… Continue reading White Privilege and White Fragility: A Dangerous By-Product of Hiring Majority-White Teachers.

I Don’t Want My Children Around Those Type of White People!
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I Don’t Want My Children Around Those Type of White People!

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This post was written by Lamont Douglas, a father, advocate and blogger at Secondline. He resides in New Orleans, Louisiana where he has been a powerful voice for educational equity. For more NYST coverage of the integration uproar on the Upper West Side, see here, here, here, and here. Melba. Minnijean. Elizabeth. Ernest. Gloria. Carlotta. Thelma. Terrence.… Continue reading I Don’t Want My Children Around Those Type of White People!

Schools Are Some of The Most Racist Places on Earth
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Schools Are Some of The Most Racist Places on Earth

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

CNN recently reported about yet another culturally insensitive assignment given to students in an eighth-grade U.S. history class at a charter school in Texas. There, students were told to complete an assignment on the “positive aspects” and “negative aspects” of the life of slaves, giving a “balanced view.” This assignment wreaks of micro-aggressive and racist… Continue reading Schools Are Some of The Most Racist Places on Earth

The First Step towards Achieving Educational Equity for Black Students Must Be Hiring More Black Teachers
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The First Step towards Achieving Educational Equity for Black Students Must Be Hiring More Black Teachers

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

According to  CNN, “a Texas charter school is apologizing after a teacher gave an assignment to an eighth grade American History class, asking students to list the positive aspects of slavery.” As outraged as I am, I wish I could write that what happened at Great Hearts Monte Vista School is an isolated incident —… Continue reading The First Step towards Achieving Educational Equity for Black Students Must Be Hiring More Black Teachers

Have We Made Any Progress Since Brown v. Board of Ed? Not In My Experience.
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Have We Made Any Progress Since Brown v. Board of Ed? Not In My Experience.

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

In 1951, a class action suit was filed against the Board of Education in Topeka, Kansas in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. The plaintiffs were thirteen Topeka parents on behalf of their 20 children.  What a strong example of parental engagement this landmark case models for us, right? This case… Continue reading Have We Made Any Progress Since Brown v. Board of Ed? Not In My Experience.

How Deeply Do You Think About Language?
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How Deeply Do You Think About Language?

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

“I’m having a hard time getting through this because of the language. The constant referral to incarcerated individuals as inmates speaks to the inhumane vantage point from which they are viewed by society. Imagine if we all were forever referred to by the result of our worst decision in life?” This was my response to… Continue reading How Deeply Do You Think About Language?

An Interview With Queens School Community Walkout Organizer Mikaila King
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An Interview With Queens School Community Walkout Organizer Mikaila King

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On March 22, 2018, I met and interviewed Makaila King, the young lady who encouraged our school to get involved in the National Walkout that took place last week, which I also participated in. I wanted to get to know Makaila better and to find out what drove her to take charge and organize the… Continue reading An Interview With Queens School Community Walkout Organizer Mikaila King

I’m So Scared For My Black Students
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I’m So Scared For My Black Students

Vivett Dukes1 Comment

I’m so scared for my Black students. I can’t speak about any other demographic. I work with Black students every day and I am so scared about what I see. More and more they seem less and less interested in academic endeavors. We talk so much about having more technology in the classroom but today… Continue reading I’m So Scared For My Black Students

Even During Black History Month, Teaching Black History Is Demonized.
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Even During Black History Month, Teaching Black History Is Demonized.

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

For the past few weeks, every time I see the cover of a local New York City newspaper there are reports of incidents of blatant racism and discrimination against students of color. This week, sadly, is no exception. According to an article published this Monday in the Daily News, Liriano [a teacher in the NYC… Continue reading Even During Black History Month, Teaching Black History Is Demonized.