Teacher Tea
NY Teacher Accused of Racism, School District Faces Backlash
There are essentially two sides to the debate over whether racial identity has a place in a student’s education. Supporters who say that, yes, it does, argue that teachers should actively recognize their students’ identities, as this recognition helps address potential biases and allows all students feel respected.
And then there are those who support the idea of colorblindness. The main premise of this idea is that focusing on race can have negative consequences, such as increasing racial division among students, lowering expectations for students of color, and shifting the focus away from individual needs and towards race as a primary factor in teaching and learning.
Ultimately, does ignoring race perpetuate systemic inequalities? How much of a student’s identity plays a role in their education? And if racial identity does become part of the equation, in what way should it be addressed?
A lawsuit filed against a teacher at Eldred Junior Senior High School in Sullivan County, New York, alleges racially discriminatory behavior. The plaintiffs claim that the teacher questioned two light-skinned Black students about their complexions and referred to them as “pure-bred” Black in front of their classmates. The incident, which occurred earlier this year during a Study Hall, also included scrutiny of the students' hair textures.
Following complaints, the school district investigation confirmed that the teacher did use discriminatory language, violating the state’s Dignity for All Students Act. However, in a remarkable twist, no action was taken to remove the teacher, and the lawsuit alleges that the superintendent dismissed claims of racism, stating that the teacher couldn’t be prejudiced because she was also a minority (LGBTQ+).
In The Independent’s “Teacher Under Fire for Asking Black Students in Front of Classmates if They Were ‘Pure-Bred’,” Senior Reporter Justin Rohrlich explains that the lawsuit is also accusing the school district of failing to protect the students from further discrimination. It seeks damages for the families, who have since relocated to Pennsylvania, incurring significant expenses.
This incident reflects broader issues of race and racism in education, as similar racially insensitive events have occurred in other schools across the U.S. The families involved are pursuing legal action, demanding accountability for the emotional harm caused.