Wilson / Jackson-Reed Teacher saying slurs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait so the new defense for using the n word is not that he said it in the heat of the moment, but that he said it in a calm, intentional manner?

He didn't "use" it, he repeated it back to a student who called him it. If you can't see the difference, you're beyond help.

It’s been my long standing opinion (and one instilled by my parents) that under no circumstances are racial slurs to come out of my mouth. I understand that when a white person says these words it brings up years of painful history and trauma. Saying these slurs tells the person hearing them that the white race is superior and their race is not human. It perpetuates a violent history and is deeply harmful.

Regardless of “saying” or “repeating,” the teacher should not have said it.

NP here and whether you agree with this opinion or not, this is why this teacher will have to quit his job. Either he’ll be put on admin leave and that will tarnish his reputation or the kids will treat him in a way that he no longer has authority in the classroom and will quit. Anyone who thinks otherwise doesn’t know what goes on in schools, or how varying opinions can be on him saying this one word.

Honestly if this is this what happens, and the admins don’t support this teacher, I am probably going to pull my kid from DCPS when elementary is over. I can’t have him in that kind of toxic environment.

You won’t be the only one I’m sure. It’s ridiculous if you think the teacher using the word to deny that he was one to the kid brought up any painful history or trauma to the kid.

No way am I going to put DS in an environment where these kids run the show and this kind of toxic environment of chaos, disrespect, and abuse happen again and again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I saw the video. Black student angrily calls a White teacher the N-word. Teacher replies, "I'm not a n---." Student then tells the teacher, who happens to be gay, "Your life don't matter. You're a f-- [homophobic slur]." Teacher lost composure but it's not like the teacher called anyone the term. The student called him the term and he just repeated it to reject it. Lots of smoke but hardly any fire.

How and why is this being put on video?

Oh, FFS. Because damn near every kid in the school has a phone that takes video.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid showed me the video. I’m disgusted by that students behavior. I’m sympathetic to the teacher but I do believe he was wrong for saying the word. if my kid ever acted that way his father would cave his chest in (not literally, just expressing the seriousness). - Black women wirh 2 sons, one who goes to this school. I’m embarrassed by that students behavior.

How was he wrong for saying it? The kid said “You’re an n-word.” He replied “I’m not an n-word.”

Because White people should never say that word. Ever. It does not matter the context.

This is a ridiculous take. 99.8% of the time that word should not come out of a white person’s mouth. But this teacher did nothing wrong here. And that student is a POS.

We need to bring back disciplinary schools and ship these out of control kids there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone here attacking the victim so as the reduce the responsibility of the aggressor. Nice.

The kid will get no consequences and will (might?) graduate one day into a world where people don’t have to and won’t put up with his sh!t. What will become of him then? The teacher will resign and get a job at a school where he doesn’t have to put up with it and DCPS will lose another good teacher. The system will not change. Because of attitudes like those on this thread.

+100. Keep putting some blame on the teacher who was the victim and see how that goes. It’s bad enough we don’t have enough teachers, let alone good ones like this one.

Examples of this situation being tolerated all year with the verbal abuse with no consequences is a big reason why the system is bleeding teachers.

Is there one post here where someone says that the child should suffer no consequences?

PP here, I’m talking no consequences at school such as suspension, removal from the classroom, etc….

Yeah, I think everyone here agrees that there should be consequences of some sort like that.

And the intelligent ones among us understand that “should” is irrelevant and NO meaningful consequences will come to the student,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC is in that class and loves the teacher. However, DC felt that the teacher lost his cool and needlessly escalated the exchange by repeatedly contradicting (correctly) the student, instead of saying, eg, "be quiet, conversation over" long before it got to the slur stage.

Related, DC has some sympathy for the student, who seems to be playing with somewhat less than a full deck. DC says he is generally an upbeat guy, but a bit clueless and obviously lacking in the parental department and any notion of appropriate behavior.

For my part, I'm horrified to see what DC has to put up with in DCPS (I went private) and am embarrassed we've have put him there.

It is so damn darling that you think that would have worked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just saw the video. Unless it was cut short or something the teacher did not lose his cool at all. Not at all. He did use the word to deny it applied to him but only after questioning why the student was using it at all. Teens are known for their black and white sense of right and wrong and their not fully developed ability to see nuance. I think a grown, wise adult (especially one who knows this teacher and that he’s as far from being racist as one could get) can reasonably see why he used that word in order to “return to sender” it’s like an arrow bouncing off a shield. He did not shoot the arrow. Context matters, even in the eyes of the law. Intent matters. The students were being incredibly disrespectful and we’re clearly harassing a hardworking and very effective teacher. He showed the student the door in a calm, direct manner. If there is more to the story it certainly was not evident in the video I saw.

From what you describe, I think he was incredibly brave to use the n word in this particular scenario. It sounds like he was disempowering what his attacker was trying to do. No one is brave enough to ever do that. He sounds like a true teacher to have not fainted dead away and instead stood his ground and taught a lesson around the n word. It reminds of take back the night in the 90s when we were all riot girrrls and stood our ground against those who would use sexual violence to diminish our right to healthily take up space in the world. This guy is amazing..I would want him teaching my kids. Brave!

kathleen hannah would spit on you

Who the hell cares?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait so the new defense for using the n word is not that he said it in the heat of the moment, but that he said it in a calm, intentional manner?

Good God. He doesn't need a defense. When people say the n word you know what word I hear in my head? The full word. And you keep saying it, sheesh. Yes, intentions matter. He did not use it as a slur, unlike the student.

…uuuh

You know this ours you as an imbecile every time you type it, right? Just checking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I fear for gay men/women who teach in schools and are subject to this abuse. No teacher at any time should be in an environment where this is allowed. What is scary is people feeling certain groups are entitled to egg shell walking while other marginalized groups can be spat at. Life doesn’t work that way.

Exactly this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all you people that think it was okay for the teacher to use that word, fine. Go ahead and use it. And please report back and let us know how that works out for you.

Also, don't forget to teach your kids when to, and not to use the word.

Actually, were I in the same position as this teacher, I would hope to have the same presence of mind to say it right back to the person who used it against me.

Funny how this thread focuses on the teacher and not that kid. Where are his parents? Where is the school counselor? He’s going nowhere fast if someone doesn’t step in. But now he’s kryptonite.

Wild times.

You all are trying to make this white man a hero because he said N* to a black kid. It sounds like he is a wonderful teacher and has a huge impact at Wilson however what many of you are most proud of is he repeated the word back to the kid.

I fear for the life of my black son.

That's your takeaway? I white teacher responds calmly to a disruptive, disrespectful, abusive black boy, and you fear for you black son?

+1. If your kid isn’t a yearlong discipline problem who hurls the N word and a homophobic slur at his teacher in the middle of class, there’s nothing in this interaction to make you “fear for the life of your black son.” Please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all you people that think it was okay for the teacher to use that word, fine. Go ahead and use it. And please report back and let us know how that works out for you.

Also, don't forget to teach your kids when to, and not to use the word.

Actually, were I in the same position as this teacher, I would hope to have the same presence of mind to say it right back to the person who used it against me.

Funny how this thread focuses on the teacher and not that kid. Where are his parents? Where is the school counselor? He’s going nowhere fast if someone doesn’t step in. But now he’s kryptonite.

Wild times.

You all are trying to make this white man a hero because he said N* to a black kid. It sounds like he is a wonderful teacher and has a huge impact at Wilson however what many of you are most proud of is he repeated the word back to the kid.

I fear for the life of my black son.

That's your takeaway? I white teacher responds calmly to a disruptive, disrespectful, abusive black boy, and you fear for you black son?

Has nothing to do with the actions of the teacher and the students. Has everything to do with the posters on this forum and what you all represent. Plenty of racism makes it rounds on DCUM and it is generally excused and accepted. I don’t expect you do understand because I’m assuming you like most other posters on this forum aren’t black. I said nothing at any point to attack the teacher or support the actions of the students. It is you posters that terrify me.

So you’re terrified that your black son might be a disruptive asshole in class and try to take out an excellent teacher and… what… white folks on DCUM won’t have sympathy for him?

There are plenty of reasons to worry about black children. This incident/thread are not one of them.

I am a veteran DCPS High School educator who is well attuned to the issues that take place within the classroom. I never insulted the teacher nor asked for sympathy for the child. Again, I don’t expect you to understand. Seems you are more invested in trolling than seeking to understand. So I won’t bother explaining myself to you. Have a great day.

Yeah, a copout. How predictable. Have the day you deserve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait so the new defense for using the n word is not that he said it in the heat of the moment, but that he said it in a calm, intentional manner?

He didn't "use" it, he repeated it back to a student who called him it. If you can't see the difference, you're beyond help.

It’s been my long standing opinion (and one instilled by my parents) that under no circumstances are racial slurs to come out of my mouth. I understand that when a white person says these words it brings up years of painful history and trauma. Saying these slurs tells the person hearing them that the white race is superior and their race is not human. It perpetuates a violent history and is deeply harmful.

Regardless of “saying” or “repeating,” the teacher should not have said it.

NP here and whether you agree with this opinion or not, this is why this teacher will have to quit his job. Either he’ll be put on admin leave and that will tarnish his reputation or the kids will treat him in a way that he no longer has authority in the classroom and will quit. Anyone who thinks otherwise doesn’t know what goes on in schools, or how varying opinions can be on him saying this one word.

Honestly if this is this what happens, and the admins don’t support this teacher, I am probably going to pull my kid from DCPS when elementary is over. I can’t have him in that kind of toxic environment.

And no one will care.

PP but DCPS needs students to function and get funding. So eventually someone will have to care if enough people make this decision.

People have been opting out of DCPS for decades. They will be fine without your little snowflake.

You’re soooooo defensive. It’s fun to watch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just saw the video. Unless it was cut short or something the teacher did not lose his cool at all. Not at all. He did use the word to deny it applied to him but only after questioning why the student was using it at all. Teens are known for their black and white sense of right and wrong and their not fully developed ability to see nuance. I think a grown, wise adult (especially one who knows this teacher and that he’s as far from being racist as one could get) can reasonably see why he used that word in order to “return to sender” it’s like an arrow bouncing off a shield. He did not shoot the arrow. Context matters, even in the eyes of the law. Intent matters. The students were being incredibly disrespectful and we’re clearly harassing a hardworking and very effective teacher. He showed the student the door in a calm, direct manner. If there is more to the story it certainly was not evident in the video I saw.

From what you describe, I think he was incredibly brave to use the n word in this particular scenario. It sounds like he was disempowering what his attacker was trying to do. No one is brave enough to ever do that. He sounds like a true teacher to have not fainted dead away and instead stood his ground and taught a lesson around the n word. It reminds of take back the night in the 90s when we were all riot girrrls and stood our ground against those who would use sexual violence to diminish our right to healthily take up space in the world. This guy is amazing..I would want him teaching my kids. Brave!

kathleen hannah would spit on you

Who the hell cares?

LOL. The point that this teacher responded with admirable composure, as this student verbally abused and attempted to diminish him, was completely missed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC is in that class and loves the teacher. However, DC felt that the teacher lost his cool and needlessly escalated the exchange by repeatedly contradicting (correctly) the student, instead of saying, eg, "be quiet, conversation over" long before it got to the slur stage.

Related, DC has some sympathy for the student, who seems to be playing with somewhat less than a full deck. DC says he is generally an upbeat guy, but a bit clueless and obviously lacking in the parental department and any notion of appropriate behavior.

For my part, I'm horrified to see what DC has to put up with in DCPS (I went private) and am embarrassed we've have put him there.

It is so damn darling that you think that would have worked.

And had it not worked, then the kid should be ejected from the class and suspended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC is in that class and loves the teacher. However, DC felt that the teacher lost his cool and needlessly escalated the exchange by repeatedly contradicting (correctly) the student, instead of saying, eg, "be quiet, conversation over" long before it got to the slur stage.

Related, DC has some sympathy for the student, who seems to be playing with somewhat less than a full deck. DC says he is generally an upbeat guy, but a bit clueless and obviously lacking in the parental department and any notion of appropriate behavior.

For my part, I'm horrified to see what DC has to put up with in DCPS (I went private) and am embarrassed we've have put him there.

It is so damn darling that you think that would have worked.

And had it not worked, then the kid should be ejected from the class and suspended.

“Should be”? Suspensions are not allowed. Take your complaints to the City Council.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I saw the video. Black student angrily calls a White teacher the N-word. Teacher replies, "I'm not a n---." Student then tells the teacher, who happens to be gay, "Your life don't matter. You're a f-- [homophobic slur]." Teacher lost composure but it's not like the teacher called anyone the term. The student called him the term and he just repeated it to reject it. Lots of smoke but hardly any fire.

The student should be expelled. The teacher should get free counseling for having to deal with this abuse at work.

Sure. I’m sure if the student was white you’d have more empathy. No this student shouldn’t be expelled. They should have to write a minimum 6 page essay on why homophobia is wrong and the history of it. Plus counseling from the school.
Notice how I didn’t add suspension or expulsion, that crap doesn’t work. As a teacher myself, I have gotten a student suspended who said he’d rape me but ha. He was happy to miss school and came back worse. Luckily his parents were actually upset and started getting him counseling and they finally listened when I told them he may be bipolar.

This is a student, not a teacher. Expulsion is for extreme circumstances like real physical hard. Words hurt but I’m sure that teacher has heard worse. Some of these kids have zero boundaries.