I had a Hispanic friend tell me of his experiences of working as a day laborer in Atlanta, GA. There are two experiences that stuck out to me. One was when he was pick up for a job, but the men who chose him had no intentions of offering him a job, but they want to take him to a place where they could harm him physically because of his Hispanic heritage. The second is when he was returning from a job, and he was walking on his way home, and he was robbed of his day wages. The first incident was done by whites and the second incident was done by other hispanics.
I was thinking how could I insert these scenarios into my classroom discussion with my students and their family members. I think the persona dolls would be very useful in these scenarios. There will be dolls for the good people of different races, and the bad people of different races. I will teach my students and their family members that there are more good people out there than bad, and people actions not words will tell you of their true character. I would ask them to think of incidences in their community where they have experience violence inside and outside of their community, and how did they resolve it.
I would have different role models speak in person such as police offices telling the students and their parents that the risk is very low of these types of incidences happening to them. I will ask my students how would they protect their communities and home with their parents help and would they ask for help from people outside their community. I will bring my personal experiences into the classroom by using persona dolls of my experiences in dealing with racism. I will teach them to stand for what is right, do not stand for what is wrong, and you should respect both the similarities and differences among people of different cultures of race, gender, social class, abilities, and sexual orientation.
Larry,
ReplyDeleteI like to watch mystery shows and I have often wondered what goes through anyone's mind that could be so cruel to others. I just can't understand. I hope they didn't follow through with harming your friend. With what is going on in the world, everyday, but being in the media more recently, I have been reading a lot. I have looked at positive quotes and tried to figure out or think about how others are dealing with racism and such. The best thing I have found and yet it is a simple saying...There is only one race and that is the human race. I love how little kids do not often see things such as color when they meet others. They can become the bests of friends and all the hate is not in their heart. I feel adults play a big part of what they are learning and seeing. It is really sad and we all need to do better. Thanks for sharing your post.
Larry, communities are experiencing so much emotionally stress in the previous weeks not only because of the pandemic but most importantly because of the systemic racism we as a country have seen, heard and felt. I appreciate that you will commit to teaching your students to stand up for what is right and respect similarities and differences.
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