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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Of course it’s okay.  But, be cognizant of the fact that being an only anything is hard.  Being a minority of one at a school is much harder than being one of even a small group.  If your child will actually be the only white student, is that a good social environment for him or her? [/quote]
Why is it not a good social environment.  African Americans, Latinos and Asians frequently experience being the only one in work environments, academics and social settings. As a person of color this has been my reality quite frequently.  I am so confused by this way of thinking. Its ridiculous. This is why so many White families have decided to take their children out of DCPCS schools by Kindergarten they don't want to be the only ones left in the upper grades. You can say it is about test scores  but it is deeper than that. If a school has majority at risk students (English as a Second Lang, Special education, homeless, lower SES) in the upper testing grades then research indicates the test scores will be lower.  Do not assume that the school is not as good if the test scores are low that is flawed thinking. Teachers in title one schools can out teach many teachers in other schools from what I have experienced in my over 20 years in the education system. Many white parents do not want their children in a school or class with all minority students. They may not admit it but it is true. I wish people would just be honest and begin to address their biases. 
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Totally agree with you on testing, but disagree on the issue of whether it is hard to be "the only" or one of the only of a racial or ethnic group in a community.

Of course many Black, Latino, and AAPI folks do this in life, and for many it becomes so common that they don't even think about it. That does not mean it is not hard, and that doesn't mean it's not especially hard for young kids in a school environment, at a time in life when you are trying to wrap your head around where you belong. I have heard and read many accounts of people who went to majority white schools as the only POC and the challenges that created for them. Just because it's common doesn't mean it's not hard.

I do think there is value for white kids in being in that position though, as it should help them develop the empathy and understanding needed to combat white supremacy in their lives. However, there is a complicating factor, which is that anyone who is a minority in a population needs support in order to navigate that experience. Especially little kids. They are going to need to talk it out and process feelings of exclusion or not belonging. It's really important. I think we mostly know what that looks like for POC in majority white environments -- you need diverse teaching staff, and support from family and other POC who will make sure the child knows that they are valuable, that they belong. I think it's harder for kids who are white minorities in majority black and brown school environments to get those kinds of supports.

If it was a white adult going into a majority black environment, it would be one thing to say "Suck it up, black people do this all the time." Merited, even. But you can't say that to a Kindergartener who comes home crying because she doesn't look like the other kids or doesn't feel like she fits in. That can be hard, and honestly some kids might just do better in an environment where there are more kids that look like them. That doesn't have to mean a majority-white school. But just like a Black, Latino, or AAPI family might choose a school in part because there is a critical mass of other POC who will make their kid feel like they belong, a white family might make the same choice. I get the dynamics are different and that it feels like the white family is simply biased against POC. It's impossible to escape that implication. But if you've ever had a kid who is "the only" in their class, and seen how it can impact their self-perception, ability to make friends, and confidence, you understand what a hard choice that is. We are talking about kids who are 3 years old, 6 years old, 8 years old. These are not adults. You cannot simply tell them to suck it up and leave it at that.[/quote]

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