I pit my developing racism

The BBQ Pit
61

Something interesting happened to me the other day.

I work closely with an immigrant population professionally, personally, and on a volunteer basis, and I’m not quite sure what I should think of this incident. I have intentionally disguised the bits between the brackets because I don’t think it matters, really.

I took a call from someone with a question regarding his rent. The person who deals with rent was out of the office so I offered up the option of leaving a message or calling back Monday. The caller was very, VERY insistent - incredibly so - until I said something in his native language. The caller’s manner completely changed. “Who is this?” I told him. “Ooooh, so sorry. This is [Mike]. How is your health? Are you doing ok? So nice to talk to you again. That’s ok, I call back Monday. Sorrysorry, I call back Monday.”

Sooo…some [people of that ethnicity] are, in general, assholes to locals, thus deserving of their local reputation? Some [people of that ethnicity] just like it when a non-[person of that ethnicity] shows a little bit of language knowledge? Some [people of that ethnicity] genuinely appreciate me? Some [people of that ethnicity] really dislike my co-workers? One of those swells my head more than it should; one is genuinely disappointing. I wish I knew which [Mike] was on the telephone so I could come closer to guessing the answer.

But I think I know it already. People get tired of bashing their head against the wall. Think of how many times you’ve walked into a governmental office prepared to fight a bureaucratic battle, only to be met by a pleasant, smiling, cheerful, (occasionally apologetic, if the situation warrants), public servant.

Certain segments of our society - be it based on skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or place of origin - walk into situations you and I take for granted armored up for battle and act accordingly, for good or for ill.

For some reason, I have managed to become an ally of this population while still demanding that they follow the rules everyone else has to. I’m not sure exactly why, but I think it’s a combination of cultural understanding combined with a certain measure of an attitude that projects “Cut the shit. Your English sucks, not your intelligence.”

Years ago I read an OpEd in the Washington Post written by a black British guy on a journalistic exchange program from his UK newspaper. He wrote that Americans saw the color of his skin and deducted 10 IQ points; when they heard his British accent they added 10 IQ points; and the end result was that he was “normal”.

Just, for one minute, imagine going through life sincerely believing that everyone you meet thinks you’re dumber than average simply because of the color of your skin. How would you react? Play up to the sterotypes that everyone already seems to believe? Work even harder to prove different? Find allies in the mainstream to support you? Fight against all that your family believes to prove different, or go along with your grandmother?

Once you figure out the answers to those questions I think you’ll be able to deal with your classes.

62

Maybe.

I am a Math Teacher in Los Angeles and see these stereotype differences actually play out day after day. In my last class however, the over achiever was black and the least performer was hispanic. In my new class, it seems to be the other way round.

It however should be understood that “good” students are considered to be quiet, not talk back and eager to please. Most of your lower achieveing black students may not meet the “quiet” criteria. If you show discrimination or fear because of that, then the lower achieving one’s may also fail to meet the other “good student” criteria. Your hispanic students may not meet any of the criteria for “good students” and would probably be more “quiet”. The tendency to be more quiet is loved by every teacher and influences grading and the student-teacher relationship. When two students misbehave, the more quiet one is usually let of the hook or considered more respectful. He will be cut more academic “slack”.

All our prayers as teachers is to rise above all that.

63

I’m not trying to piss anyone off, but I know this is gonna piss off a few people regardless.

Stereotypes are based on observed facts. Write that down. It’s true, always will be. There are a few exceptions ( Polish people being dumb because of their inability to read the tests they were given on Ellis Island)

Stereotypes when used (really in any context) are WRONG. I should say when referenced are wrong.

There are a disproportionate amount of Jews that run pawn shops, a disproportionate amount of Middle Eastern men that run convenience stores, and a a disproportionate amount of Mexicans working at Wendy’s.

Just because it’s a stereotype, doesn’t mean that it’s inaccurate.