Blacks are mistreated in many ways in society today. Here is the story of a woman who has faced it herself.
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#1 School Days
In 1954, a famous court case (Brown v. The Board of Education) ruled segregation in American schools unconstitutional. This decision helped produce the culturally and ethnically diverse schools that we currently attend in the United States. In the 21st century, white and black students can immerse themselves in a colorful environment that is made up of all types of people.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against black people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Situation For Blacks
T. H. (witness chose to be anonymous) is an African American single mother who decided to enroll her only daughter at a predominantly white middle school. In her opinion, it was the best choice educationally, as it claimed to be a school that prepared its students for a college atmosphere. The school had plenty of extracurricular activities, clubs, and classes that induced creativity such as language classes, studio art, or film. As T. H.’s daughter was a participant in the band, she regularly attended her daughter’s band concerts. However, one particular band concert introduced a rather surprising production.
“Everything was going well until it wasn’t,” T. H. said. During the intermission of the band concert, there was a skit performed by the drama team called, “The Inner-City Spelling Bee”.
This skit was a recreation of a “spelling bee in the ghetto” as T.H. stated. “It was an urban spelling bee taking place in an urban part of town,” T. H. explained. “[The] white people [in the play] were trying to use Ebonics to emulate or depict how they felt black people would react in a spelling bee as if they were ignorant.” The spelling bee’s word bank included some offensive terminology. For example, “one of the words was po-po,” T. H. recalled. Po-po is a term used specifically in the black colloquialism that means the police, or the cops.
While the skit was being performed, T. H. was “surrounded by a crowd of white people who [were] laughing, while black people [were] also sitting in this crowd and looking with this absurd look on their face.” In fact, T. H. notes that she observed “a schoolteacher [laughing] and sadly, she is married to a black man. [She] couldn’t understand how [the schoolteacher] could think that it was funny. But she’s white…she has not had to experience the black struggle.” As T. H. continued to watch the mostly white crowd laugh at the skit’s offensive depictions of black people, she asked herself: “Is this REALLY funny?”
The Response
T.H. admits that she “would have had [her daughter not performing].” However, she decided to contact the vice-principal, who was also black. “I shared my disappointment and I shared why I took offense to what happened,” T. H. explains, “and not only did she agree with me, but I did not know until speaking with her that she actually put the ball in motion to speak out against what they did.”
The vice-principal had already expressed her concerns to the principal of the school. T. H. says that the vice principal “was impacted because she noticed that a lot of her [Caucasian] coworkers were around her laughing at [the skit]”, which she felt was purely unacceptable. As a result, all the employees at the middle school had to take a cultural diversity class. “A memo went out,” T. H. relayed, “and the staff was required to engage in cultural diversity and cultural awareness.”
Apparently, both the principal and vice-principal understood the skit as a cultural misstep and violation of the first degree. When they chose to raise awareness about these cultural barriers, they were acting in excellence.
The Afterthought
“The fact that they had black people in the skit as well, that said something to me too,” T. H. discusses. “They didn’t understand how they were being manipulated into supporting such nonsense and degrading of the black community. Not all black people use that vernacular…we know how to be professional and we know how to be ‘ghetto’ when necessary. I was embarrassed for the people in the skit, and I was also angry and embarrassed for the ignorant people who allowed these children to get on that stage and replicate this skit.”
When asked if her viewpoint on the laughing audience changed, T. H. had this to say: “I think [my viewpoint] was already skeptical. I was raised to be a skeptic of Caucasian people. I was raised to say, you know, these people don’t understand black people. They’re always going to be against you and not in your corner.”
Even though this culture shock started off as an offensive and bias representation of the black community, there were individuals who were able to utilize the power they had to correct their peer’s mistakes. In some cases, however, the people in power witness everything, but do nothing. Some people believe discrimination against blacks is simply forcing them to sit in the back of a bus or telling them they can’t sit certain places in a restaurant. T. H.’s black experience demonstrated how strong and diverse prejudice against blacks in America really is. Together, we must continue to expose racism and cancel its agenda for our world, thus creating a true culture shock.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
While integrating schools was a big step in true equality, it wasn’t enough. Though students of this generation are more accepting, the prejudices and biases that are held against back people are still present in our schools. While most of this activity is found in history books or literature, some schools find it okay to broadcast stereotypical depictions of black people to an entire audience, for everyone to see. Today’s culture shock is derived from a predominantly white middle school located in Jacksonville, Florida.
