Something Strange Happened to Me Today...

[Anonymous]

Many Africans in America who are often from well-to-do and are well-educated do not like to be associated with AA because of the negative stereotypes.

[Anonymous]

*well-to-do families*

[Anonymous]

OP I'm surprised you don't know the difference between an African and an African American. She isn't African American and holds a lot of stereotypical beliefs that many people do about AA's. This is why she didn't think anything about saying something to you. She figured aa white person you probably felt the same way. You should've just called her out on it in a non-confrontational way. At this point just leave it alone.

[Anonymous]

i would say something to the school. The problem is not an un-PC comment being voiced. It's the fact that she thinks this about all the kids she's taught.

"Not all but a lot of Africans look down on African Americans. "

Agree w/ this too. I can't tell you the number of cabs I've ridden in where the African immigrant driver has spoken in negative stereotypes about AAs. I've actually heard a fair amount of such negative stereotyping voiced by Latinos as well - I think that many immigrants don't see cultural stereotyping as all that unusual.

[Anonymous]

The problem is that she is a teacher. I would bet you that her feelings can be be seen in the classroom. Who gets th benefit of the doubt, who is called on or praised. Who is recognized for awards, moving ahead, GT.

[Anonymous]

OP,

This has been going on forever. Our Africans rarely mingle with our African Americans. Culturally, they're very different. So there's little middle ground - even among the various cultures from different African countries.

She's a sub - a warm body. Unless she's damaging the kids by physically abusing them or verbally assaulting them, leave it be. Some of our best subs are African and b/c of the strict upbringing can usually keep some of our more challenging classes under control. So while this sub may have some negative views of our AA students, chances are she's addressing some of their negative behavior, too.

btw - I'm white in a "majority minority" school (so weird to write that) and have over 18 years in my system.

And I don't think she was baiting you.

Anonymous wrote:Hello everyone! I'm a teacher in my early 20's and I only have a few years of experience in the school system. I teach in Baltimore County and I'm white (it will be relevant in a moment).

There was a substitute teacher today who I spoke with on the playground. She was African American (as in she actually is from Africa). She was telling me about various schools she's worked at, and told me that schools with "a lot of black kids" are bad. She then went on to express (verbatim) that "those black kids are just bad. They just don't want to learn!"

This was a disturbing comment to begin with, and seemed even more unusual because I'm white. Was I expected to make a blatantly racist comment? I just told her "Well, it just matters where you teach." I didn't want to tell her that saying this on a playground full of 1st graders was just wrong; I had no idea how to respond! I was disturbed but didn't want to make a scene in front of all of these children.

What would you have done? Reported her to the office?

I know this comment may stir the pot, but I'm not a troll. This was just a really strange situation!

[Anonymous]

A number of people seem to think that this person's attitude and values should not be challenged because she was just a sub. So what? A sub can discipline kids. A sub can also fill in long-term, for several weeks or even months. A sub can become a regular teacher.

What if this person were in your child's classroom, and your child spent the day being made to feel like a bad child? Would that make a difference?

[Anonymous]

OP here, I do know the difference between African Americans who are from Africa and those who are not.

I'm also aware of the stereotypical views some of them hold.

The thing that bothered me about it was that she said it on a playground, surrounded by children. Her views are her own, it was just an inappropriate place to voice them.

[Anonymous]

I understand you being bothered, of course. But her views aren't just "her own," like you guys just ran into each other in the mall. Her views affect children. If children are treated like they are "just bad" when they are little, how will that affect their learning? Her race is a red herring in this conversation -- black people can't get away with saying other black people are "just bad." It's still racist.

If she were a male substitute saying "You know, some of these kids are so sexy!" I don't think there where would be much of a question about what you should do. I think that you should report it to your superior so that she can possibly be removed from the substitute rolls. I don't think you should make it a crusade, but just think about how you would feel if you one of these children she's calling "just bad" were your own.

And, as hard as it may be, in the future you might have to call people on this. Practice saying "that's inappropriate and I disagree." This is difficult! It's hard for me, too. But the only way to address these issues is if all of us do it.

[Anonymous]

Employment lawyer here

OP, can't you see that this is actually breaking the law? Discrimination laws protect our children, just like laws against touching them inappropriately, just like endangering their health and their safety. In fact, you have an obligation to report this. Doesn't your school have a no discrimination policy? Doesn't that policy in fact REQUIRE you to report this to the administration?

If another person (like a parent) reports this to the administration and it is found out you did nothing but stand there and listen, you very likely will be fired, suspended or otherwise disciplined. Your conduct and the fact you did nothing are exposing the school district to a massive law suit.

I would protect yourself and report this immediately. Send an email, talk to your supervisor, do whatever you have to do. If nothing else, do it to protect your own job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd chalk it up to a cultural issue and don't worry about it. In her country, there may be very different standards, rules, routines for behavior and what "we" allow here may be completely unacceptable in her country.

She is not in her country. She is in America teaching American children. OP I think you have a professionally and perhaps a legal obligation to report it to the school officials. This occurred on school grounds during working hours.

[Anonymous]

Africans from Africa can be INCREDIBLY RACIST. Unfortunately, they are often very arrogant, too. Report her immediately. The administration needs to make a correction.

[Anonymous]

Many Africans in America who are often from well-to-do and are well-educated do not like to be associated with AA because of the negative stereotypes.

Yep. This happened to me at the DMV and I was floored! The lady behind me in line had just moved from Africa. She was irritated that the black lady at the window was taking too long. And she went into a racist tirade about black people. She went on and on about how lazy black people are and how they act like criminals. She even mentioned that they are bad tippers and destroy hotel rooms. She was very elitist. I had no idea what to say. I wish I had come back with some kind of statement about stereotype. But honestly, I was so stunned I just couldn't find the words.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP,

This has been going on forever. Our Africans rarely mingle with our African Americans. Culturally, they're very different. So there's little middle ground - even among the various cultures from different African countries.

She's a sub - a warm body. Unless she's damaging the kids by physically abusing them or verbally assaulting them, leave it be. Some of our best subs are African and b/c of the strict upbringing can usually keep some of our more challenging classes under control. So while this sub may have some negative views of our AA students, chances are she's addressing some of their negative behavior, too.

btw - I'm white in a "majority minority" school (so weird to write that) and have over 18 years in my system.

And I don't think she was baiting you.

Anonymous wrote:Hello everyone! I'm a teacher in my early 20's and I only have a few years of experience in the school system. I teach in Baltimore County and I'm white (it will be relevant in a moment).

There was a substitute teacher today who I spoke with on the playground. She was African American (as in she actually is from Africa). She was telling me about various schools she's worked at, and told me that schools with "a lot of black kids" are bad. She then went on to express (verbatim) that "those black kids are just bad. They just don't want to learn!"

This was a disturbing comment to begin with, and seemed even more unusual because I'm white. Was I expected to make a blatantly racist comment? I just told her "Well, it just matters where you teach." I didn't want to tell her that saying this on a playground full of 1st graders was just wrong; I had no idea how to respond! I was disturbed but didn't want to make a scene in front of all of these children.

What would you have done? Reported her to the office?

I know this comment may stir the pot, but I'm not a troll. This was just a really strange situation!

+1. Some of the reason people behave badly is because they are not corrected and maybe do not know better. People want to mind their own business and not interfere for fear of getting into trouble. But there is a great need for a sense of community and looking after each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd chalk it up to a cultural issue and don't worry about it. In her country, there may be very different standards, rules, routines for behavior and what "we" allow here may be completely unacceptable in her country.

this