3 Racial Microaggressions Teachers Commit On A Daily Basis - And How To Avoid Them

Aug 16, 2018

Some schools are more strict than others. Everyone knows about schools that have heavy rules, uniform codes, and harsh discipline techniques. David Whitman coined the term "paternalistic" for these types of schools. He says the goals of these paternalistic schools are to influence children with traditional, middle-class values.

This all sounds like a pretty righteous agenda; however, many of these values are old and outdated, often holding racist viewpoints. A lot of these schools attempt to take an urban student of color and change them into a middle-class white child. This isn't okay.

However, many schools are attempting to stop this practice, becoming aware of their own racism. These schools still have other issues to deal with - issues like microaggressions towards people of color.

Microaggressions are unintended, subtle discrimination, and teachers commit them every day.

Many of these microaggressions deal with scenarios where someone breaks a rule that isn't that important, like wearing a hat or a hood. Most schools have a ban on hats and hoods; however, children of color are more prone to be called out on breaking these rules than white kids. This rule is very traditional, often relying on old, outdated forms of respect for their reasoning.

In modern society, having a hat on when you talk to someone is not a sign of disrespect. People will wear hats everywhere. Churches, concerts, theaters, and many more places are allowing people to wear hats without causing a fuss. In fact, urban culture makes use of hats and other headwear quite frequently. Making them remove a hat is actually what's disrespectful.

Microaggressions also form when a child swears. The teacher who is disciplining the student may be the only adult the student has met who has a problem with his swearing. Swearing for the child may be normal, socially-acceptable behavior. Teachers who single out urban kids for swearing but aren't as equally harsh on a white child are committing a microaggression.

The best way to deal with swearing is by focusing on the intent of the words rather than the words themselves. A child may be swearing with no ill-will behind his words. Using a swear word may be normal conversation for him. However, when a child uses a swear word in a violent or demeaning way you should still discipline him normally.

The final microaggression deals with punishing sleeping students. When a student falls asleep in class it should be a sign of sleep deprivation and not a reason for him to face consequences. Some teachers are offended when a student falls asleep, thinking they must be bored and uninterested. Teachers can take their anger out on the students, unleashing unfair punishments. Every teacher wants students to learn from their class; however, if they are falling asleep, it doesn't mean they aren't learning. If a student frequently falls asleep, try to engage them in conversation before they doze off.

Do not punish them for not getting enough sleep at night.

You don't know what their home situation is like. Perhaps they are up all night helping take care of their newborn brother.

Not to say that children should get off the hook every time they break one of these rules, but punishing them for their culture and home situation is wrong. Spread the word among your peers, and let them know that not every broken school rule needs to be enforced. Remember, if teachers stick together they can make real change.