Reply to Racial issues in DCPS for mixed race kids

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP, my son is half AA/half white.  He is at a public charter school in DC.  From my experience, along with a child in his grade that has a similar background to what you describe, my child is not perceived as AA, which I find surprising.  I have two friends that are also married to white men and have biracial children who are not perceived as AA in public (e.g., mothers are asked if they are the nanny). My son's skin is very light and he has straight/curly hair, which I think has a lot to do with how he is perceived.   He is second grade so he has had 4 years of experience being in school and interacting with teachers and other students.   His teachers and other kids treat him as Hispanic or "other", almost exotic. Teachers and staff comment on his looks almost everyday day, which I am trying to downplay.  I repeatedly tell my son that he is half black/half white; however, he doesn't identify as AA because students do not see him that way (there are several AA kids in his class).  He tells me that he is Hispanic!  What I have a problem with is that he has told me that some of the AA boys in his class get into a lot of trouble, and don't read as well, etc. and I honestly believe that is because of skin color as there are white boys in his class that behave the same way (I have known most of the kids in his class for years).  Although I am relieved that my son is not treated this way by teachers, I think it is a serious problem that AA boys are disciplined more harshly and are not expected to achieve as much as other kids in the classroom.  [/quote]

PP have you ever raised your observation of the difference in treatment (especially with regard to discipline) with any of your child's teachers or the school admins?  I can't imagine seeing that happening, especially for years, and not mentioning it or inquiring about whether the teachers themselves notice it.  Especially where you can point to a white kid who acted a certain way and was not disciplined or was treated one way, and a black kid who did the same thing and was disciplined or treated more harshly.

I go by the golden rule on just about everything, and if another parent noticed my child being treated differently - to my child's detriment - I'd seriously hope they'd speak up and say something or ask questions.  I would and I actually have, many times over the years my kids have been in school.[/quote]

I have discussed this with the vice principal, but not directly with the teachers.  I didn't notice the issue until 1st grade.  The vice principal told me that she was aware of the issue, not specific to the classroom, but how black boys are perceived in general in school.  I expressed my concern and she said this is something that they discuss with the teachers in professional development/teacher training.  I have also told the parents of the AA boys about my observations.  I don't know if administration has formally followed up with the teachers or provided any training.[/quote]

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