Hi Mr. Campbell: I came across an article you wrote (I'm not certain of the date, but it was one in response to the Everman Texas school principal's comments over the intercom) regarding the fact that white teachers should not teach black students. Your premise appears to be that they can “see right through us,” which, to me, implies that we (white people) are attempting to masquerade as something we aren't. As a white teacher who taught in Everman the year before Culbertson made her comments,
I can tell you that I never saw a hint of anything in her that could be misconstrued as racism. Many times I observed her standing at the front door welcoming students or saying goodbye to them. What I saw was someone who truly cared and was proud of all of the children, regardless of their color. I also saw them go up and hug her or seek her out many times to tell her something, only to hear her “that's wonderful... I'm so proud of you” comments.
What I saw from the students in Everman, is that many of them had chips on their shoulder put there by a previous negative experience, by society in general, or, and most likely by, a parent who has “issues” (remember... students tend to write and talk about their homelife in English classes).
I had no problem being there with them, but many of them had a problem with me and it wasn't because I'm white and they could “see right through me.” It was because I expected them to be respectful to me and to each other. I expected them to shut their mouths and listen sometimes. I expected the boys to pull their pants up when they came into my classroom so I didn't have to see their underwear. I expected them to turn in their homework and to do their best each day in my class. I taught both African Americans and Hispanics and don't recall a day where I felt they resented me because of my skin color. If anything, they resented me because I made them behave in class when what they wanted to do was socialize with friends but get a grade for it.
The reason I went to Everman is because it is near my home and it presented more opportunities than I had elsewhere. The reason I left Everman is because I felt under appreciated, and not by the students. So, what I'm saying to you, is please don't point fingers at the white teachers in Everman or elsewhere, for that matter. I can tell you from personal experience, that I saw many dedicated professionals there -- black, white, and brown. I saw white teachers who adored black students and vice versa. The only disparaging or racial comments I ever heard the entire time I was there, did not come from Caucasians or Hispanics, but from African Americans directed at each other-- and not all of the derogatory comments came from children. So, what I'm saying to you is that race didn't seem to matter to the kids.
Why are you choosing to make that the issue in this case? Culbertson's comments were inappropriate, but they weren't racially motivated. If she had read all of the disaggregate data on the TAKS results, nothing would have been said, because the students would have had to 1) listen to her longer than 1 minute, and 2) decipher what the statistics actually revealed. They normally didn't pay attention to announcements longer than about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Mrs. Culbertson wasn't masquerading as a white person who cared about black people.
She was a principal who cared about all the students in the school regardless of their color. I did not agree with her in all areas and I didn't always get along with her; however, she was only the messenger for some very harsh realities that need to be fixed, and I don't think black teachers are the answer any more than white teachers aren't. Direct your comments to the parents of these children and you'll be closer to both the problem and the solution. I did enjoy your article, Mr. Campbell, and I hope I haven't offended you with my comments.
