No, No You Can't Teach Black Children!

I recently read (with great reluctance) an article written by Robert Pondiscio titled "anti-racism" is misguided. Can I still teach Black children? The short answer is no, but for the sake of argument, I'll go through my usual triggers when people try and "shock jock" and minimize the importance of anti-racism in schools.                                                                     20 Years of Stellar Service 

I'll start with the good. Mr. Pondiscio has spent the last 20 years in high-poverty schools in the Bronx in Harlem. He believes in high expectations for all students and that academically and behaviorally, we must have a high bar for Black and Brown kids (all kids, for that matter). By pointing out, we must have a high bar for Black kids behaviorally gives me racist undertone vibes. It's as if Pondiscio already comes with a set of assumptions about Black students and their behavior. 

Overly Policing Black Minds?

I guess my central question in examining this writing is whose behavior are we equating? Are we comparing the behavior of Black students with affluent white students? Having taught in affluent schools, I can assure you; white students come with their own sets of challenges. That part was a little unclear to me; perhaps a conversation with Robert can clear that up. A point that I think needs highlighting in this article is, "Children do not fail." I couldn't agree with this point more.

But by railing against anti-racism, is Pondiscio failing the same historically marginalized students he's mentioning? Let's read on. I'm not sure if the shifts in ideology regarding anti-racism have widened or because of how pervasive racism is in schools; folks are starting to be more vocal in their response. Folks that focus on anti-racism have always been "doing the work." I highlight doing the work because this terminology seems to be the proverbial high five white folks give to each other when discussing anti-racism and Critical Race Theory. Often these terms are confused and conflated.

*A message to white writers looking to be profound* stop quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr when it serves your purpose. 

White People Hated King

Let's be clear. White people hated Dr. King when he was alive. The FBI dedicated a counterterrorism unit to Dr. King and others. To use Dr. King in any way to describe anything anti-racist, I question. King himself asked if he got it right with integration. He's quoted as saying, "I fear I'm integrating my people into a burning building." We can focus on his dream, or we can focus on reality. The reality for many Black kids is that they go to school daily and receive education in the same burning buildings Dr. King feared.

Pondiscio asks an important question that I think requires attention. He asks, "If I hold to a definition of racism that manifests in behavior, not an immutable characteristic of my race which I have no control of, am I no longer fit to teach Black children?" I say being white or white identifying does not cancel the value that one can bring to students. My question is, what exactly do you want to teach Black children? When white teachers come into Black neighborhoods, our kids should not have to assimilate to their version of what is right. As the teacher, it's your job to assimilate to the culture you teach, to help make you a more informed practitioner. Even though you raise the bar on academics and behavior (which I question), your views of the students you teach, their parents, and their neighborhoods are all part of the learning, and at this point, I'm getting deficit thinking vibes but I'll continue.

Spot on Analysis of Standardized Testing

Robert is spot on with his interpretation of standardized testing. I'm on record as saying I'm for testing. I'm probably not as familiar with Kendi's work as I should be, but it appears that our views on testing are misaligned. I'd probably lean more towards his views if there had been accountability measures in place post-Brown that insured Black kids were learning. Since those safeguards do not exist, standardized testing serves as the gatekeeper for the Black Community. All communities, for that matter, have measurable data to ensure their students are learning. Folks become up and arms about standardized testing when scores link to how society evaluates teachers. This article was about you, not Ian.

Critical Race Theory Makes White People Feel Badly

Okay, now we are to the paragraph discussing Critical Race Theory making white kids, and their families feel bad about themselves. First, CRT is a theoretical framework. There are five tenets of CRT. There's one in specific that has every white think-tanker losing their mind. No, I don't think all white people are racist. However, I do believe America's formulation and history are complicated ones. Imagine being taught enslaved people were happy, Blacks are lazy, and they've never done anything worth mentioning in textbooks. Black folks, the Black kids you love teaching are more than just February and a King quote. So, honestly, I don't want anyone to feel bad due to the curriculum. I do, however, want the curriculum approached in its most accurate form, and that approach may not make white people feel the warmth and fuzzies they are used to feeling.

Are White Teachers Welcome?

In the next section, are white teachers still welcome in non-White Charter schools? I feel projection happening for the 2nd time in this article. White teachers are welcome to teach wherever they feel the most comfortable. If teaching a curriculum through a Critical Race Theory/Anti-racist lens gives you trepidation, that's your cross to bear. Mind you, we are talking about predominantly Black and Brown charter schools; why shouldn't they be able to see themselves and the truth in their learning. I don't want teachers who have savior complexes in schools with Black students. I also do not want teachers so set in their worldview to not consider the counter-narratives that exist to undo what oppressors have done to the oppressed.

Overall Reflection

This article has both triggered me and made me think critically. I'm hopeful that this was the intent of the article. It's a good conversation starter for those willing to have uncomfortable conversations about race and varied ways to view and approach anti-racism in schools. However, in my school, I want revolutionaries. I want folks who understand that race and poor educational structures play a role in why education is excellent for some and not so great for others. So to answer Robert's question, yes, I'd love for him to teach my son in High School, in the affluent school district where we live. No, I would not allow Robert to teach my daughter, who attends a heavily minoritized school that I run. Teaching Black kids isn't for everyone. It should be an honor and teach Black kids; you too should have to "Do the Work."

The Unpublic Podcast Episode 59

Also, please check out Episode #59 of the Unpublic Podcast. We go into great detail about the article written by Robert Pondiscio.