The middle school I am taking my junior field experience at is in an urban area. The majority of the school's population are of African and Portugese backgrounds, but mainly African. I noticed today that these students see "color." Because I am white, a few of them told me that they assumed I did not like them because they are black. Some of those students are still convinced that I do not like them for the same reason, no matter what I say, but they are starting to warm up to me. I cannot believe that there are such feelings of racism that take place in children as young as 11. Unfortunately, three weeks is not enough time to get to know these students well, and change their opinions, but I am still going to try my best to show them that they are wrong. Furthermore, everyone asks me what race I am. I think some were even placing bets. I cannot believe that race is so central in many of their lives.
Is anyone else experiencing a similar situation?
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My experience is somewhat similiar. I was extremely surprised when for the first two days the students would come up to me and ask me where I was "from". I assumed they were asking where I lived or where I went to school, so I would just answer "Elizabeth" or "Newark". But then they would ask "No...where are you from? Like, whats your nationality?". Until today (the fourth day) I had students ask me if I were Portuguese, even though I already told them numerous times before that I was. In fact, I was shocked to have several teachers ask me the same question. However, my students feel a sense of pride when discussing their own nationality and when they would ask me what mine was, it was out of a sense of curiosity. I have a feeling, however, that I may have a few more students ask me again the next few days. Especially the more meek and quiet ones that have not opened up to me yet.
Good luck with your students. I do agree that 3 weeks is not enough time. I do wish we could spend more time with them because it would make this experience a whole lot more beneficial.
Although I cannot relate to your experience because the school that I'm doing my jr. field at has students who are from various backgrounds, I too cannot believe that children that young take racism into great consideration. It's sad that children pay so much attention to what's on the outside (color) rather than what's on the inside. I believe that if children were educated properly, if they're even educated at all, on different cultural backgrounds, such feelings of racism would not exist. Good luck!
I am in a similiar situation, all of the students (with a few exceptions) are african american while the teachers are mostly white. I am in a fourth grade but none of the children have asked me where I'm from, infact the issue of race hasn't come up yet. We are reading Harriet the Spy so we will be discussing the difference between society in 1960 ( when the book was written) and society now. so that should be an interesting lesson.
I can tell you that when I did sophomore field in an Elizabeth school the 5th grade that I observed was very interested in "what" I was. They asked me if I spoke Spanish, when I told them no they said "How could you not speak Spanish everyone speaks Spanish?"
Interesting how their view of the world was really based on their expriences in their neighborhoods.
I am also experiencing this same situation at my school. I have classes that contain either hispamic or african americans. There are very few white students and even the white students are trying to "fit in," as well. The first day I was there my students were asking me the same question, "Where are you from?" They asked me if I was spanish and I told them I was Cuban. The children were so happy to know that I was spanish. I feel that they may even like me better because I am. I found this amazing because I agree with you and I also cannot believe that race is so central in their lives.
This is very sad that you had to have such an experience. However it not that uncommon. Unfortunatly that's how our society thinks; the students are the ones who will actually come out and say it. This is the reason why we need to educate children about diversities. Maybe in the future we won't have this problem.
I did my junior field in Kenilworth were most of the population is white. My students politelly asked me if I was "Mexican" I said no. I am from Honduras and live in Elizabeth since 1997. They opologyzed to me because they don't know much about latin culture, they were Spanish 1 and very restricted on information about my culture,Geography. I have an accent speaking English because I came in my teenage years. So, I had a few students that me fun of my accent, but since I am currently working in Elizabeth HS and I like to work with teenagers I did;t pay attention the the negative comment and continue with my Spanish 1 class.
I am doing my field experience at Rahway Middle School and most of the students there are African or from Latin America. There are not many white students in me classes. But the students have never said that I am racist or that I hate them. This maybe because I let the studnets introduce themselves to me during my second day. These students know what racism is but they do nto think I am just because I am white. They respect you if you respect them.
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