When a student calls everything "racist"

[Anonymous]

Read the whole group the tale of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, then discuss that story.

[Anonymous]

Tell the kid to define the term racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it was me, I’d call her bluff. I’d say no it absolutely is not and by throwing that term around you’re diminishing the very real impact of racism. Then I would remind the student this class is a privilege and she needs to quit derailing it for everyone else. I’d also alert the higher ups.

Wow. This is very bad advice.

Ok, then what do you recommend? By the way I also agree totally ignoring is a good idea.

Not PP, but another way to go is to sit down with her and say “what do you mean by that?” Then listen. My guess is this 11 year old isn’t actually engaging in analysis of the racist background of the museum or whatever, but that she’s uncomfortable and feels outside her element for some reason. That could be race or it could be that she hates groups and strangers and refusal is her way to get out of that discomfort. In any case asking her open ended and friendly questions without anger or rancor - with true curiosity - is likely to make for a better connection. And yes, have a conversation with the parents!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The liberal end game. You are a white supremacist to question “their truth”.

And you are in the wrong for trying to volunteer to do something good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The liberal end game. You are a white supremacist to question “their truth”.

And you are in the wrong for trying to volunteer to do something good.

Agree if I am going to volunteer and get called a racist for asking a kid to wear a mask or sit in a seat and my response may not be the "correct" response (unless I let the children have free reign) I'll still be wrong its not worth it. Especially today where everything is taped and edited that you can easily be cancelled. If it becomes to difficult to volunteer there won't be any. So then all kids loose out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"No I won't sit in my seat. That's racist."
"Why are you asking me to pull up my mask? That's racist."
"Why'd you tag me? You're racist."

These are the type of comments said to both the teacher and other students by an 11-year-old. What's a good way to engage this student?

Background: This is in a weekend program at a museum where I just started volunteering for as a teacher's aide. It's a new group of students, so there's no history or background between this student and the authority figures. In fact, since the kids come from a lot of different schools, there's so not much history with the other kids that I know of. The kids are roughly 1/2 white, 1/4 black, 1/4 latino. The teachers/adult volunteers for this particular class group are white or Asian. This particular student ended up sitting in a corner refusing to participate most of the session.

It’s the perpetual victimhood mentality of today’s kids, particularly minority kids.

+1000

It is divisive. It is destructive. It is toxic.

- and there is only one political party pushing the victimhood narrative: the democrats. I just can’t vote for them anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it was me, I’d call her bluff. I’d say no it absolutely is not and by throwing that term around you’re diminishing the very real impact of racism. Then I would remind the student this class is a privilege and she needs to quit derailing it for everyone else. I’d also alert the higher ups.

Wow. This is very bad advice.

Except everything said is true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The liberal end game. You are a white supremacist to question “their truth”.

And you are in the wrong for trying to volunteer to do something good.

Agree if I am going to volunteer and get called a racist for asking a kid to wear a mask or sit in a seat and my response may not be the "correct" response (unless I let the children have free reign) I'll still be wrong its not worth it. Especially today where everything is taped and edited that you can easily be cancelled. If it becomes to difficult to volunteer there won't be any. So then all kids loose out.

You are such a victim

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"No I won't sit in my seat. That's racist."
"Why are you asking me to pull up my mask? That's racist."
"Why'd you tag me? You're racist."

These are the type of comments said to both the teacher and other students by an 11-year-old. What's a good way to engage this student?

Background: This is in a weekend program at a museum where I just started volunteering for as a teacher's aide. It's a new group of students, so there's no history or background between this student and the authority figures. In fact, since the kids come from a lot of different schools, there's so not much history with the other kids that I know of. The kids are roughly 1/2 white, 1/4 black, 1/4 latino. The teachers/adult volunteers for this particular class group are white or Asian. This particular student ended up sitting in a corner refusing to participate most of the session.

It’s the perpetual victimhood mentality of today’s kids, particularly minority kids.

+1000

It is divisive. It is destructive. It is toxic.

- and there is only one political party pushing the victimhood narrative: the democrats. I just can’t vote for them anymore.

Really? I thought teaching slavery victimized white males. I can’t keep Up with all your crazy!

[Anonymous]

The teacher needs to speak to the parent. I also like the idea of having her define what racism is. Truly she’s diluting it and making the word meaningless for the rest of us POC. Calling everything racist won’t get her very far in life. Is she being forced to participate in the program? It’s voluntary so if she doesn’t want to be there she shouldn’t have to be there either. If it’s disruptive for the other people in the group that she can move on to something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"No I won't sit in my seat. That's racist."
"Why are you asking me to pull up my mask? That's racist."
"Why'd you tag me? You're racist."

These are the type of comments said to both the teacher and other students by an 11-year-old. What's a good way to engage this student?

Background: This is in a weekend program at a museum where I just started volunteering for as a teacher's aide. It's a new group of students, so there's no history or background between this student and the authority figures. In fact, since the kids come from a lot of different schools, there's so not much history with the other kids that I know of. The kids are roughly 1/2 white, 1/4 black, 1/4 latino. The teachers/adult volunteers for this particular class group are white or Asian. This particular student ended up sitting in a corner refusing to participate most of the session.

It’s the perpetual victimhood mentality of today’s kids, particularly minority kids.

+1000

It is divisive. It is destructive. It is toxic.

- and there is only one political party pushing the victimhood narrative: the democrats. I just can’t vote for them anymore.

Really? I thought teaching slavery victimized white males. I can’t keep Up with all your crazy!

Right? Youngkin featured a mom who was outraged that her son had to read Beloved; and we're told that teaching honestly about slavery makes white kids feel bad about themselves, so we can't do that. It's absolute nonsense to pretend that Rs don't push the narrative -- they just have different victims.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"No I won't sit in my seat. That's racist."
"Why are you asking me to pull up my mask? That's racist."
"Why'd you tag me? You're racist."

These are the type of comments said to both the teacher and other students by an 11-year-old. What's a good way to engage this student?

Background: This is in a weekend program at a museum where I just started volunteering for as a teacher's aide. It's a new group of students, so there's no history or background between this student and the authority figures. In fact, since the kids come from a lot of different schools, there's so not much history with the other kids that I know of. The kids are roughly 1/2 white, 1/4 black, 1/4 latino. The teachers/adult volunteers for this particular class group are white or Asian. This particular student ended up sitting in a corner refusing to participate most of the session.

Representation matters. Why aren’t there any volunteers that look like the kids that you serve?

Are you black? Why don't YOU go volunteer? DP.

Right? You cannot complain about representation when you are talking about volunteers. POC looks like they need volunteers at the museum?

[Anonymous]

OP, how exactly did you find out about and apply and recruited for that position?

Does the museum put out ads that the local black community has access to? Are there visible billboards around or recruiting events in community centres in black neighbourhoods?

[Anonymous]

OP is a volunteer! How would she know what their marketing campaign looks like for all volunteers?!?

Sorry this is happening OP. I have to agree with PP though. I do a lot of volunteer activities and if this comes up I will likely bow out. I can’t imagine it comes up to often but I don’t feel equipped to discuss racism with a child and his/her perceptions. I would honestly worry that I would say the wrong thing (or what other people felt was the wrong thing), and I would further worry about my professional and personal life being impacted.

If I don’t play someone enough? Put them in a different position? Expect certain behaviors on the sideline?

After a self check, I would alert the Commissioner and program business managers and would try to work with them,

[Anonymous]

Oof. This is tough. I'd say "Larlo, we all have to wear our masks on our mouth and nose so we can stay safe. It's not racist, it's just a safety rule for everyone. Why do you think that's racist?"

While I agree systems and structures are inherently racist much of the time, this sounds like a troubled child. I work with a woman with an 11 yo DS who could be this child. He is loved, but is going to need some de-programming.

I'd also document and talk to your supervisor.