13 Year Old Persecuted by the Rochester City School District Over her essay NSFW

[nuTinmuch]

it doesn't take a black teacher to understand what black students are going through

There's a difference between empathy and sympathy. While a white teacher might be able to understand the surface, they'll never be able to understand the complexities that a black student goes through.

They don't have those experiences to pull from, therefore they can't accurately put themselves in that position. There are every day things that a black student will go through that a white student will not -- and those things will never even be considered as issues by the white student. Hence, white privilege.

This isn't to say that a white teacher can't teach black students, but that a white teacher who is working with a lot of kids outside his/her own perspective needs to have training to do so.

Not acknowledging this hurts the black students in the school, continuing an oppressive system, hence the quote the girl used. She likely doesn't realize the sociological implications that are at work, and her quote was perhaps too harsh, but she's a 13 year old girl.

saying she was a straight-A student nothing worthy of note

One again, this is why I believe you didn't read the article, because it absolutely is of note. The reason she left the school was because out of nowhere her grades started to drop dramatically -- and when her parents asked to see the assignments she was doing poorly on they didn't have them. What does this say to you? Mind you, it's been years since I've been in middle/high school, but all of my teachers always had that stuff on file.

good, she unjustly tried to tarnish the reputation of the schools she attended and more specifically the white teachers, or should i say "modern day slave owners."

You can't possible be serious. So when a student shares an opinion in an essay they should be punished for being critical of something a teacher disagrees with? In a public school, no less? One of the few institutions where we can legitimately bring up "freedom of speech"? Are you for real?

The rest of your post just goes on about how we should be okay with the status quo, I guess?

When I went to high school I had some pretty understand teachers. I had a generally okay experience and I think everyone should be entitled to that same thing, regardless of race. I don't think we should be okay with distracts that abuse their kids, or worse, suppress their opinions so that they can continue to receive funding.

I'm still waiting for a definition of reverse racism.

"Reverse racism" is a phrase used by white people to complain about racist policies supposedly impacting them. I was making a comedic point.

[Slevin]

Originally Posted by nuTinmuch

They don't have those experiences to pull from, therefore they can't accurately put themselves in that position. There are every day things that a black student will go through that a white student will not -- and those things will never even be considered as issues by the white student. Hence, white privilege.

i have neither sympathy or empathy for this girl. learn to fit into her surroundings, aka socialization, which can be done by any person of any race or gender in any society. white privileges only exists in white dominant places. black privileges exist in black dominant places. each culture with a dominant race will have their own privileges, so it's all relative and equal at the same time. every race has their own bull**** they need to work through in whatever culture they live in. but once again, the stress level is the same on the individual no matter what the race is, so her situation is not any more difficult than anyone else.

Originally Posted by nuTinmuch

One again, this is why I believe you didn't read the article

once again, i read the article and i could care less about any of that. i do not believe every single thing one random writer writes in a barely credited article about a situation he or she barely knows about. the bias is unbelievable most of the time. if you believe everything you read then i feel sorry for you. i understand the reasons why she had to leave school, and if she didn't think what she said was going to piss a lot of people off then she shouldn't have taken the responsibility of choosing such harsh words in her essay. she could have easily written something different and passed the assignment with an A. the school isn't releasing her documents to her because of stated oligarchy, which you decided to not comment on.

Originally Posted by nuTinmuch

You can't possible be serious. So when a student shares an opinion in an essay they should be punished for being critical of something a teacher disagrees with? In a public school, no less? One of the few institutions where we can legitimately bring up "freedom of speech"? Are you for real?

completely serious. she has no idea of the gravity of her accusations. she is wrongfully accusing many school administrations, which could result is a steep stigma on the schools reputation. any stigma placed on anything or anyone is incredibly hard to overcome, and compromises the moral and trustworthy judgments that are made from the administration from that point on. for example, say you and your wife get married and have a daughter. say 5-6 years into your marriage your wife decides to divorce you, and in the process wants to make your life a living hell. she convinces the daughter to publicly state that you touch her inappropriately touch her. considering the child is past the role stage and is into the game stage of her sociological development, the court can believe her testimony. say toward the end of the trial, the child comes clean and says "mommy told me to say it," you will forever have the stigma as a child molester even if you weren't convicted. you will no longer be able to accomplish so many things in life all because of a wrongful statement brought upon you. and don't tell me this is a bogus example, because there's tons of these cases all the time in america.

basically, if it is true that all of her "slave owners of white teachers" refused to teach her for her entire life, then yes, she is just in her cause. do i believe any of that, hell no. i think shes a piece of **** for trying to stigmatize the school-board and she deserved some sort of unjust action in return. i also stated that the school-board shouldn't be the one returning the favor, but if the order is give, you take the order or loose the job. you tell me how many people will jeopardize their family for some random 13 year old? once again, am i saying that it's ok to do this? no, i'm just simply stating that it happens.

Originally Posted by nuTinmuch

The rest of your post just goes on about how we should be okay with the status quo, I guess?

as stated above, i never said we should be with the status quo, i just said it happens. im pretty sure i also said it shouldn't be that way.

Originally Posted by nuTinmuch

When I went to high school I had some pretty understand teachers. I had a generally okay experience and I think everyone should be entitled to that same thing, regardless of race.

everyone is entitled to that, if you realize developing a sense of socialization is an equal opportunity for all people in all areas. any basic soc class goes over this, so most people should know. the fact that she chooses not to take the advice and guidance of her white teachers because their skin is different than hers is ridiculous and completely racist. interaction from all people develops your sense of identity and self, so she can take her narrow view of judgement and **** off.

Originally Posted by nuTinmuch

I don't think we should be okay with distracts that abuse their kids, or worse, suppress their opinions so that they can continue to receive funding.

i don't either, but it happens all the time, and what can we possibly do about it? in the structural functionalism system that is school change must be ordered, and is slow to change. it is to maintain order, which is the main concern of SF. unless we become in a position of power in the district and order the slow moving change, nothing will happen. once again, i'm not necessarily ok with it, but understanding the how and why will allow me to get over it in a respectable way. she needs to do the same, and if she feels that strongly about it, work for a position of power and try to order the change.

Originally Posted by nuTinmuch

"Reverse racism" is a phrase used by white people to complain about racist policies supposedly impacting them. I was making a comedic point.

while most people say "reverse racism" doesn't exist, and say its just a thing for white people to bitch about, i say **** that to an extent. before it use to be "the best of the best" get the job. now orders are given to have a "diverse" work environment. if you don't believe me, study the recent restructuring of AETNA US Healthcare and then talk to me. diversity means: we have 5 jobs open and we need to be diverse in the hiring practice. for example, there are 5 highly qualified white males. assuming they are more qualified for the position than any other white, black, hispanic, asian, male, female person applying for said job, 3 spots must be "diverse." therefore 3 white males that are better suited immediately rejected. that's bull****. it's also bull**** that if any other person or race is more qualified than the white guy, they don't get the spot because they need people to balance the "diversity" quota. if your more suited to work in that position you should be there, regardless of age, gender, or race. it doesn't work that way sadly. but it should.

with that being said, i say "reserve racism" isn't the proper word for the problem it is in context with.

[CleanNeon98]

Maybe everyone should teach their own people, then well see who comes out on top.

[AWD GS]

Originally Posted by CleanNeon98

Maybe everyone should teach their own people, then well see who comes out on top.

[CleanNeon98]

And black kids have MORE opportunities than white kids to make something of themselves, there.are scholarships I cant get just because im white. **** the race card, if they wanted to learn, they would. How much longer can people point the finger and keep saying they are "oppressed", really?

[HatchSurfer3]

Originally Posted by nuTinmuch

"Reverse racism" is a phrase used by white people to complain about racist policies supposedly impacting them. I was making a comedic point.

Ok, I thought you were being serious.

Originally Posted by Slevin

while most people say "reverse racism" doesn't exist, and say its just a thing for white people to bitch about, i say **** that to an extent. before it use to be "the best of the best" get the job. now orders are given to have a "diverse" work environment. if you don't believe me, study the recent restructuring of AETNA US Healthcare and then talk to me. diversity means: we have 5 jobs open and we need to be diverse in the hiring practice. for example, there are 5 highly qualified white males. assuming they are more qualified for the position than any other white, black, hispanic, asian, male, female person applying for said job, 3 spots must be "diverse." therefore 3 white males that are better suited immediately rejected. that's bull****. it's also bull**** that if any other person or race is more qualified than the white guy, they don't get the spot because they need people to balance the "diversity" quota. if your more suited to work in that position you should be there, regardless of age, gender, or race. it doesn't work that way sadly. but it should.

with that being said, i say "reserve racism" isn't the proper word for the problem it is in context with.

I agree it should be the best person gets the job. Reverse racism isn't the proper word, i agree. This is because there is no such thing, racism is racism no matter what race it is against.

Originally Posted by CleanNeon98

Maybe everyone should teach their own people, then well see who comes out on top.

RACE WAAAAAAAR!!!!

[speed3guy]

Screw the reverse racism, and screw any of the teachers that were hurt by her summary line... “A grand price was paid in order for us to be where we are today; but in my mind we should be a lot further, so again I encourage the white teachers to instruct and I encourage my people to not just be a student, but become a learner.”

...Miss Williams wrote an essay on her impressions of ...

That line says it all, her impression that she got from reading a book about a slave, reading about how a slave was treated in an educational manner (in Caucasian, btw). This comes down to the simple fact that she is has a damned good sense of perception and development to respond to this book in such a powerful way. The entire BOE for this poor girl should be fired and exiled from the teaching community. I just finished school for teaching and this bothers me to the core. The school asked her to read a book and write about it, and now she had to be pulled out of school because she saw the book in a new light that the school wasn't expecting? Tough sh*t, deal with it. As far as this "settlement" someone said she is looking for, I hope she gets it.Shame on her teachers and principal for treating her like that, and at 13 no less... Its a damn shame.

[LostMarine]

its racist. teachers are not supposed to be the only ones to teach kids, so if someone cant read by 13, or falling behind, its not the teachers faults as this kid claims. stop pointing fingers, its not the teachers, its not the school, its not the "environment". its the kids themselves, as a DIRECT result of the lack of PARENTING by the P-A-R-E-N-T-S!!!

if it wasnt racist, what does the color of the teachers in her modern day school have to do with anything?

[jpalamar]

Do black people realize that they were enslaving each other in Africa when tribes would raid other tribes. It was common practice for just about all people back in the day Hell, now Africa is a haven for spreading AIDS faster then anywhere else, most women have been raped to the point that anti-rape comdoms were invented, they are starving to death, or being killed by deseases that we are vacinated for. In a really f'ed up sense of humor... we kinda did them a favor bringing them here...

I know this is an extreme generalization, but it kinda cracked me up.

[HaveBlue83]

^^^yup. the africans sold their own people to the muslims in trade for goods. they had NO qualms about doing so either. after the slave trade thing ended every other nation accepted them as people with rights except the US citizens/govt for whatever reasons.

not gonna go more Off-topic but this is a very good read on the history of slavery and I learned a LOT that my history class never shed light on: http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/slavetra.html

i will read the article of the OP, but i do already agree that PARENTS are a key factor in teaching children, especially ones in need.

[Renegade_]

You guys are ****ing tards.

The discussion isn't about what you think about schools, the discussion is about an individual who's ability to comprehend and abstract off of complex ideas is beyond her age range. Just because you might not agree with her on some points, doesn't change the fact that she's smarter than 90% of the people here when they were at that age. Myself probably included.

Give her a scholarship and let's move on.

[jpalamar]

Originally Posted by Renegade_

You guys are ****ing tards.

Story of my life...

[Slevin]

Originally Posted by Renegade_

You guys are ****ing tards.

The discussion isn't about what you think about schools, the discussion is about an individual who's ability to comprehend and abstract off of complex ideas is beyond her age range. Just because you might not agree with her on some points, doesn't change the fact that she's smarter than 90% of the people here when they were at that age. Myself probably included.

Give her a scholarship and let's move on.

unsuccessful troll is unsuccessful

[107Hohn117]

It’s honestly mind-blowing how a school district can punish a student for actually engaging with history on a deeper level. Jada Williams showed more maturity than the administrators here. We should be encouraging kids to think critically, not silencing them just because the truth is uncomfortable. Total injustice.