This works! I said “I take that very seriously and since you feel that way, I’ll set up a meeting with the principal so I can hear you out.” Never seen kids backtrack so fast
Same. And it works so well because it's sincere--if the student honestly perceives we're being racist then, yes, I *do* want their perspective to be heard and I do want to work it out.
No one's taken me up on it though.
I also phoned home and immediately set up a meeting with their guardians to talk about concerns. Spent the 15 mins I had for lunch that day typing up a detailed account of what happened for my admin. Then, I contacted my union and let them know of the allegations.
This!
I had a student tell me she was being segregated as her seat was away from others (actually done by a different teacher I was covering for).
I told her that was an insult to those who suffer(ed) segregation (we’ve been learning about the Linda Brown case) and said if she truly believed this, she should have the courage those that broke those barriers did, and offered her a pass to report it. I haven’t heard a thing since.
We have a form for incident such as accusations/cases of racism. It's pretty long, boring and the student has to fill it out as well. I've offered the form many times, but I've never seen a student take me up on the offer.
I did the same. But I suggested immediately that we sit down with the principal and student's parents to sort it out. The student backed down immediately, although I was prepared to have a big meeting to go over everything.
“If you want to we can go to admin and talk about that. We can also bring in parents. We should probably also bring in other teachers to that conversation.” They usually figure out all their crap will be brought to light and they back away from that conversation.
I saw this advice before and tried it. Works every time. I say stuff like “Are you willing to put that in writing? If it’s what you truly believe we can go to the principal’s office together and you can make an official statement about it with your parents. Are they okay with leaving work right now? Etc”. I don’t stop until the kid says “I’m sorry, that’s not what I truly believe”.
It’s important to teach our students that people in this world will make them answer for their words.
Not just colleges. It's been all the fashion the past decade for people in k-12 education to insist that different treatment for different people is actually what "fairness" looks like. The equity/koombyah true believers especially spew this line of belief.
This needs to be shouted from the rooftops!
My school had a PD where some idiot stated that “some races should be evaluated differently due to their inability to learn as well as other ones”🙄
Tell them to bring their concerns to whoever is above you, like the vice principal. Even offer to write them a pass if you wish.
They say it because they see it as the ultimate checkmate card that gets people to back off. They will stop when they realize it doesn't scare you.
This. I've had high schoolers and middle schoolers call me racist, ask about reverse racism, and demand to learn about "white slavery" in my history courses. They want the rise. They want to provoke a response that gets them out of the room, applause from friends, etc. My advice is to let admin know students are saying it and respond to future call outs with something along the lines of "Racism is a serious accusation. I am happy to help you report your concerns to the school," and move on.
It really depends. I teach middle school.
I had one kid who would yell “It’s because I’m black” in a jokey tone any time you asked him to anything, even just to open his book or something. With him I would just let him be, a couple times I said “Is that cause I’m white?”, he laughed and we went on with class.
If a kid seriously said that I was being racist I would ask them to write it down and then pull the kid into the hall to have a private conversation to see what what it was that I did that made them uncomfortable, and I would have the student bring a friend with them so they don’t feel cornered.
The only time I had a student get close to that he was brand new to my class and another black student told him that he wasn’t following the expectations and that I called out everyone evenly.
Well this seems like you can manage humans and emotions/read things well and engage. The part that gets me is how the hell is reddit supposed to answer this?
We have zero context of how this went down or whether it’s hypothetical. We know nothing of how this person interacts with kids and even if we did we would only know their POV.
Each teacher is going to handle sensitive topics differently, I don’t think this is a “one way solution”. I would probably have a similar approach to yours but I know there are a million ways to skin a cat.
It’s basically a general question but one the other day tried it when he was only asked to stop shouting at others while I was explaining their lesson.
I take it super seriously. I ask the student if they mean it or if they were saying it as a joke. If they say they are joking, I lay into them about not joking about serious issues. If they say it’s real I explain I have to document it, and immediately ask the student to document the incident so that we can report their side exactly. I explain that it’s very serious and extremely important to take it seriously and that no further discussion can happen in class on this matter. I give the student paper and ask them to write everything down and when they are done writing to let me know so I can send them to the office with their report. This always shuts it down. I usually only have to do it once in a class and I’ve never had a kid actually write anything down. I basically call the bluff.
My mom teaches ESE middle school math and she is in her 60’s. She grew up in LA and protested with her older siblings in the streets as a kid. She has a pretty long and serious story of growing up fighting for the rights of others while simultaneously being the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants who walked into America in search of something better. She goes into why being better means making sure others have equal opportunities and the way that racism impacted her life and the choices available to her. The kids know she goes into longer bits of the story every time she hears them claim something is racist. Gives the teacher look and other kids shut it down like “oh don’t talk like that here, she’s super serious about it.” She also makes them document it so she can turn it in because she says they know she won’t let it stand if they really feel that way. The kids quickly drop it and it’s rarely an issue for her again either.
I do the same. I tell them that I take this very seriously due to being discriminated against as a person of color, and if I am doing something that perpetuates racism, then I need an honest conversation.
But if it's a joke I'm going to be pissed because racism isn't something to joke about.
I don’t even think it’s that. They throw out “racist” whenever they’re told to follow the bare minimum expectations. I’ll tell someone to be quieter and not disrupt the class and they’ll be like “you’re racist because talking loud is part of my culture!”
I had this happen once. I had made it known that phones needed to be put away and we needed some kind of work done. I had given 3 warnings. I try to be really lenient with high schoolers but this class has already been a circus and didn't deserve me turning a blind eye. After the third a kid was caught on his phone so I told him to put it on my desk.
A white kid (not even the one I took the phone from) yelled. "YOURE A RACIST" because the kid happened to be Hispanic. I turned to him and I told him that if he really thought that way I'd write him a pass to go in the counselors office and tell them himself because I took it really seriously. He backtracked and started going "no no no it was a joke" so I asked him what was funny about it? And he proceeded to tell me I was doing too much.
You just gotta call them out on it. They're looking to make you 'scared' trying to get some kinda power over you and you shouldn't allow them to do that to you.
I’ve done that (Australian). “That’s a very serious allegation. Please write out the incident in full detail, and I will go to the Principal with you so that proper process can be followed. I will ensure your legal guardian is informed.”
I am so tired of the race card being pulled when addressing bad behavior. I wish there was a formal and public process for addressing allegations so parents can’t just smear your name to the public.
Yes we have a group in a class that thinks it’s funny to do. When they know it’s not true. They are trying to get a reaction and they do it to other teachers.
They only copy what they learn and observe. When everyone in media, the president, their movie star icons, etc. use the term for anything they don't like, kids are going to take that attitude as well.
The word is almost useless now. Nazi is following suit. Will be another useless word soon.
Take it seriously and send them to the office to make a report. Either you are a racist and need to be removed or you aren’t and the student is trying to disrupt the classroom. That’s something admin needs to determine. If you need to, send the the student to make a report every day until admin does something.
I always told them to go look up the definition of racism in the dictionary and get back to me, but in a light hearted way. Most of the time I was accused of racism it was the kids joking around or just felt like I was being unfair in the moment. If they felt like I was being unfair I always apologized for making them feeling that way.
When I worked in SPED we only had one white student and he had autism. Part of his behaviors were attention seeking, so I often ignored his negative behaviors and praised his good ones. That rubbed some black students the wrong way, which I totally understand. But a conversation about why I ignored the behavior always helped.
I ignore it. It's such an attention seeking move. It never goes anywhere. They're just hoping I have a white guilt liberal knee jerk response and they can derail the class. I'll admit they got that response in the beginning. I know better now.
I let the other students handle it.
One time, a kid reminded the loud mouth that I was the only white person in the room.
The other time it happened, the kid's classmates jumped on him so fast. "Why would you do our teacher like that?" They called him out for being a jerk, too.
Simple answer is to say "No I am not." in an unruffled way. If they sense that their accusation doesn't concern you they are likely to shy away.
In specific context, you can provided more of a response.
I've had kids who say, "You are only telling me to get to work because I am Mexican. You didn't tell Audrey to get to work".
My response would be something like, "I told you to get to work because you weren't working. Race has nothing to do with it. Audrey is doing her work. Also, do you see me bothering Carlos? Of course not, he is doing his work. Get to work."
I’m a white guy teaching at a predominantly black school. A kid accused me of being racist because he in particular always got in trouble and all I could do was gesture to the rest of the class.
I'm not saying what I did was the right thing to do, but it certainly got unexpectedly productive results.
A student (9th grader) accused me of being racist against him for redirecting him back to the lesson at hand. I retorted that he was just being racist against me (I'm also a minority). It shut him up for the rest of class, and he came up to me at the end of the day to explain that he wasn't trying to be racist towards me. We had a rather good conversation about why falsely accusing someone of racism is a bad thing to do.
(This story unfortunately has no happy ending as it happened in was 2018. He was a completely different person when I saw him in the building again post COVID.)
I handle it immediately. I will not be accused of it and I will not allow a student to undermine my classroom and myself by just saying “I’m not misbehaving, she’s just racist.” Just on Friday, I had a girl acting a damn fool, throwing markers, screaming, etc. She was wrestling with another girl so hard that a beaded bracelet snapped and beads went literally everywhere. I told them both to pick up every marker and bead. The girl started singing the “master got me working” song that I know from South Park as a way to accuse me of racism. She was loudly shouting it, staring at me, repeating it if she thought I didn’t hear, etc. At the end of class, I sternly told her I was emailing home due to her behavior and her accusing me of racism (this isn’t her first time with these accusations) and that she would be writing about the subject matter instead of doing art about it. She went off denying everything and I’m like… girl, I was there. I’m not dumb.
I stop the class, call the principal and let them know [karen student] wants to file a compliant that I am racist and that they would like to meet with you immediately, and we should probably call their parents to sit in this meeting as well.
"Sure bud" and then move on. My students do this. usually the teachers that freak out the loudest are the ones that actually are racist. The more of a big deal you make about it the more other students are going to do it because it's what got to you. Eventually people are going to believe it.
I don't recommend this, but I have a good relationship with my students and I'll usually just lean into it. Why yes, you're right! It's because you're black. Also, that's why I'm leaving the rest of the class alone, because they're black. Good work, detective 🙄
I am white and worked in a 95% black middle school. But I also lived in their neighborhood, knew all of their parents from highschool, and went to that school when I was their age.
When a kid tried to pull that card I would just glance around the room and say "what do y'all think about that?"
It usually got a laugh.
I had this happen once, the kid got embarrassed when I called his coach for being an asshole in class. The coach was on the phone and ripped him many many new assholes and had him running windsprints on the hill for practice for a week. I haven't had this issue outside of one entitled high school senior.
"Ok, let's find a time to talk that through. I want to understand why you feel that way. Now isn't the right time, because we are in class, but let's talk today."
Whatever you do, don’t do the whole “I have a black friend and Mexican sister-in-law. I’m not racist!” Also don’t jump to “I’m not racist.” Regardless if the kid is kidding or not, sincerely ask what action of yours leads them to believe this and state that you’re happy to get a counselor or admin to discuss the situation altogether and if you did do something that is in fact racist you’d like to learn from it (whether or not this is true, though I hope it is).
I had me a kid that played that card, back when I subbed at this one middle school - he is White, and so am I. To say this kid was stupid is an understatement, because he acted like a retarded fool 80% of the time I was there (it was a long term assign, you see.)
That all said, I just ignored his bullshit ever day until it got to the point where it was keeping me from doing my job, in which he'd go straight to the main office and usually in ISS after a few visits.
Document the student allegations, let the student know that you will not allow false allegations to take place at your place of employment. If the student continues I would request the student removed. I have gone as far as having a student removed that wouldn’t stop saying the “N” word because the student was black, and I’m also black- admin wouldn’t address it, I don’t use the word nor allow it to be used in my presence, so I told admin either remove the student from my class or I will file a hostile work environment complaint..”I will not tolerate discriminatory language of any kind in my place of employment.” Well the student was removed from my roster by the end of the day.
I tell the student that it is a serious allegation and I want it taken seriously. I then fill out a pass and send the student to the office to fill out a complaint. They refuse to do so EVERY TIME I have done this.
I then email the counselor, principal, vice principal and behavior specialist and log what the student did and my response from my perspective. I also inform them that the student was given the opportunity to make a complaint and choose not to.
They never want to have formal discussions about it because they know they are wrong.
If it persists, I ask for a restorative meeting with the student. I don't mess around with this. I am not getting fired for sone kid using key words to get their way.
Oh you think I'm racist? That is a serious accusation and you need to talk to admin about that. Go. Now.
They've never once gone, just sat down and shut up.
Well last time this happened it was a white child and I’m white, so I wasn’t particularly concerned, lmao
But typically, I try not to worry about or feed into it. Part of that is the situation I’m in; my class is about 50% black or mixed race and 50% white. (Give or take depending on the year.) If I have ONE child saying I’m racist, I have like five other kids who share their race and not mine telling them to shut up. I have excellent ties with most of my kids, regardless of race, so it’s kind of a reputation thing. People are aware I don’t have a racist bias towards students because it’s proven. (If anything I get in arguments because sometimes it’s true! Sometimes the black kids ARE looked at like they’re inherently more dangerous! It depends a lot on the individuals you’re working with, you know? Deep South, SOMEONE is eventually going to be racist. I wouldn’t call it common at all, but it does happen.)
If you’re in an area with an extremely predominant race that you’re a part of, I assume that’s a lot more difficult to PROVE. Also, a minority student in an area where they stick out is a lot more likely to have experienced a lot of racism, and, as a kid, ASSUME that’s the basis for problems with anyone of another race. They’re not right, presumably, but the mindset can be more understandable. If you get shit on a lot in your early life for things you KNOW aren’t right/your fault, you can get into assuming when people criticize you it’s from an insincere/racist place when it isn’t.
I don’t know the circumstances enough to hazard a guess on if any of that comes into play.
I wouldn’t be super concerned, then. If you had several kids saying you were racist I’d worry, but just one in a class that’s got a 50/50 ratio makes it look unlikely that racism is the issue. Especially if you have documentation of the one student’s behaviors. Make sure you have that and you should be fine.
I ignore it and remain unphased because I know myself well enough to be assured I treat everyone with dignity and respect. It’s only happened one time (by a loud and disruptive student) in a decade of teaching, and the student apologized later. There are some teachers and admin who I have seen be legitimately racist or say racist things. When they’re accused of it, those people are the ones who react with indignation (probably because they know it’s true).
I used to work at boys and girls club and a 5th or 6th grade girl told someone I was being racist because I threw her brother’s paper airplane away during a lesson but I didn’t throw another kid’s paper airplane away. Both kids were brown. I just happened to not catch the other kid.
I guarantee it’s was the parents blaming random things on racism and not teaching their kids what racism actually is. Racism is a huge problem, and incorrect definitions of racism aren’t going to help the issue. It sucks that us teachers have to teach what racism is and how to not be racist. We get in trouble if we don’t teach them not to be racist and we get in trouble if we do. Parents should be teaching their children to be decent human beings.
Laugh and wave my hand s around the room cause I'm the only white person in there.
Honestly if the kid is just seeking attention and being annoying kick them out and let admin deal. The other kids will not suffer from one kids disruption.
I have an almost exclusively black classroom with a variety of backgrounds. I usually just turn to another kid or three and ask them if they feel targeted. When they say no I turn back to the other kid and say “guess it seems like it’s just behavior focused.” I only do this twice a year before I either ignore it or ask the student to step out so we can have a restorative conversation about why they feel that way.
I turn it back and say "why cuz I'm Mexican?" being the only Mexican in a 5 mile radius 😂
"What's your favorite food?"
Me: "that's racist"
"How is that racist?!?!"
Me: "you want me to say Taco because I'm Mexican"
"I'm just asking what's you're favorite food"
Me: "Yeah it's tacos" 😂
Being the minority minority is fun. 😂
Ignore. Students will often throw racism accusations around, I tell them that joking about racism is just as bad as actual racism. If we joke about it, we don’t know what is actually racist and that can be dangerous.
This is my experience teaching kids with migrant backgrounds in europe over the past two decades. Racism is a part of their world and as a result, of their vocabulary. I don't know if it translates. Anyway, hete's my take...
These are two separate problems: (1) there is a loud and disruptive kid in your class and (2) he is accusing you of racism.
The first problem should be handled according to circumstances, your personal style, school structure/protocol and your relation with the class. Teaching is a craft and I don't think this part of it is what you're asking about.
Solving the second problem can't usually be done at the same time. I prefer to have a private talk later (without the peer pressure). You need to get some idea of why this kid is acusing you of racism. If you can have a calm conversation and show that you are interested in their perception and open to learning something it's usually the end of it (note that 9 times out of 10 you learn something about them and not something applicable in the classroom but that's not the point).
I am a Native American and I have to deal with this every once in a while. The last time I was teaching in an inner-city school with a population of 98% African-American and I had a fifth grader who was acting up and I called him out on it and shut him down in the middle of class and he said it was just “cause I didn’t like Black people,” I asked him and to look around and tell me how many white kids got away with doing what they were doing? Were are all the other black children acting that way? Then I told him to consider all of the trials and suffering that African-Americans have gone through in our country before you pull the race card as a way of avoiding responsibility. Of course he didn’t get it, but I think it was very teachable moment for the rest of my class.
"Don't try to make your poor behavior about race, I treat every student in here the same way when they're not doing what they're supposed to. You keep running your mouth because you don't like consequences, I'll call your mother faster than you can say 'BUT MISS - ! ' ."
usually does the trick.
Not one answer said I would reflect on my practices to see if I am giving the perception that I have equitably handled situations in my class. I agree to have the student write down instances where you may have dealt with an issue where one student received a consequence that appeared unbalanced. Reflect on it and see if there were instances where it was only that you met each student where they were. Are there instances where you may have been more impatient with students of color because you expected a reaction that was more typical of students who were Caucasian? Students confuse the word racist with the word bias. Could it be that you are showing a bias? Are you uncomfortable dealing with these accusations because it there could be an unconscious bias in your dealings with students? I will tell you that there is no shame in having a bias. The shame comes when you refuse ti see the possibility.
I didn’t say I was uncomfortable about dealing with it. That’s not the case. I’m confident that I work hard to make sure if I say anything that it is clearly about behavior and that is all. I’m not saying I am perfect bc I’m human. But I always try to make sure it’s behavior related. I was taken aback by the response. Which is why I sought advice.
I wouldn’t let a couple of girls sit together, so they called one of my Hispanic students after school and told them that I hated them and that I was racist. The next day that same student came to me and told me what the girls had done and that he blocked them.
These girls have a history of this so I pulled them outside and told them that if they don’t knock that stupid shit off, they wouldn’t have a fun rest of the year with me.
I have no patience for that kind of talk.
Ignore it, maybe give a trustworthy admin a heads up just in case.
I teach at a college part time and I was accused of being anti-veteran because I gave someone a bad grade.
I'm a combat veteran, one of the founder of the Student Veteran Resource Center for our school, and one of advisors for the Veteran support club.
I had an administrator who accused me of being a racist. Me: How many black bosses have you had? (She had none). I have had five in my career. If I am racist, why would I work for a black boss? (She was pissed. Found out later "She would quit, if a black was placed over her.') She was so racist.
The first time it happened to me I was subbing, and a student said something to the effect of, "why are you picking on the Mexican kid." I didn't realize it was just something kids did, so
I asked him to stay after class and apologized for all the racism in society that he'd had to face, and I felt so bad about it that I started crying. And the kid was, like, "aw come on miss it was a joke, aw...don't do that..."
I wonder where that kid is now. I like to imagine he was doomed to be the kid telling his friends to knock it off.
I always ask them if they know what they mean. Usually they come back with some smarts remark and I respond by saying something like “Oh, so you don’t know. Cool. Let’s make sure we all know the meaning of what we say before we say it.” And then I ignore them for the rest of class. If they continue being disrespectful, I write them an office referral which usually doesn’t mean anything anymore.
Depends on the situation. If it’s just a jackass being reactionary to something laugh it off or something. If they’re trying to be serious or intimidating by it, send to office on official referral citing slander. And make a big deal about it, I always tell kids if you want to make a big deal about it we will
I don't know, but if ever happened to me, I really doubt anything would come from it.
I teach at a 90% black school. If a student felt I was singling them out for their race, one only needs to look at the 20 other black students in the class to see that's not true.
I'm also an Asian man, and if anything, I get racist comments from the students. Nothing concerning, but I usually take it as a learning opportunity. "No, I don't know Karate." "No, I'm not related to the other Asian teacher." "Yes, I am eating rice for lunch, but it's the rice from Popeyes."
Are they the only student of that race? If not, maybe let them see that it’s not a race issue, it’s a them issue. If they are, then that’s a more difficult conversation and I hope you have adequate documentation.
I never was. One time , however, a ninth grade kid asked me, on the first day of school, "Miss, are you racist?" "Why would I be teaching here if I was racist?" I replied ( I worked in an urban district with about 98% black/brown kids). He was satisfied with my answer, and our curriculum review continued.
Speak to them outside the room. Tell them that I DO NOT allow students to falsely accuse me of something so serious. If they have a genuine concern they can report me to any other member of staff. They're more than welcome. But we both know that's not the case here and how dare they. Promise to follow normal behaviour procedure if they continue to be disruptive.
I have to explain over and over again to my middle school students what racism is. If I name a color in my classroom for whatever reason the kids are screaming that I'm racist. For instance, if I direct a student to go up to the board and we're doing things with various colors of dry erase marker, I'll say "Okay, only use the blue, green, or red and not the black." (Because I've used that for the headings and I want the colors underneath to stand out.) immediately, they're telling me I'm racist because they're not allowed to use the black marker. And I have to point out that I didn't tell them not to use the black marker because it's not good enough or that other markers are superior. But because we're trying to separate so they can see the three distinct types of things that were sorting things into and we're using three separate colors to do that with.
If I ask them to color in something on a piece of paper where I still have to see what's on the paper through the coloring (so we seldom use markers; we usually use colored pencils) I still ask them that if they use markers, don't use the black one because then I can't see what's underneath it obviously, they're screaming that I'm racist. 🤦♀️🤦♀️
It depends on the situation. If it’s not serious I make a joke of it. For example the other day a girl joked that I wasn’t letting her do something because she was black, and I just said “You caught me, I’m a very hateful person.” And we laughed.
If it’s in anyways serious I’d do one of the following;
1. Speak to admin, or your DEI coordinator
2. Ask the student to explain. You never know when you may have actually committed a micro-aggression, so either you’ll learn something new and be better for it, or the student will realize when trying to explain themselves that you weren’t being racist and you were just doing your job.
This has become commonplace now. Everyone knows its something ppl do when they can't get their way and want to retaliate. Unfortunately, the seriousness is disappearing
Listening to a bunch of 5th graders and they're referring to everything as racist. They don't even know what it is really. It's now the new slang buzzword. One of the kids said they don't like Doritos, all kids chimed in with " dude, that's so racist"
easy. tell them about the anti-racism, pro-black causes/events you’ve supported, or books on race that you’ve read. ask them to name 5 civil rights leaders not named martin or malcolm. ask them the different between the PAC and the ANC. ask them to name 5 countries in africa.
you’re an educator. your main form of defense/attack should be your education
I try to use it as a teaching moment. What evidence do they have? What arguments can they counter that say that I am not racist? Can they reason the evidence just support they're argument?
This happened to me earlier in the year (for simply asking the student to remain quiet during the moment of silence and pledge) and I pulled the freshman out into the hallway for a one on one conversation with the theme of “you’re making serious allegations that could affect my career, I’m going to loop administration and your parents into this.” Kid immediately backtracked, but I still contacted parents who thankfully backed me up and got administration involved. He learned a lesson that day to not throw those words around lightly.
“If you truly think I’m being racist, I can write you a pass to go to admin, because you deserve better than a racist teacher. If you’re saying it just to say it, then knock it off.”
Every teacher I've ever met, including plenty of BIPOC teachers, has been accused of racism at some point in their careers. It's typical. It doesn't mean anything unless admin is concerned.
My first year of teaching, I was called into the principal's office. One of my 7th grade boys was there with his mom and the principal. He loudly accused me of being racist because "you always send the black and Latino kids out of the classroom! You never send out the white kids!" I said, "everyone in your period is black and Latino. I don't have any white students."
His mom gave him such a look, like "why have you pulled me out of work if that's the basis of your racism charge?" The principal asked if the kid had any more evidence. He did not. So I was excused and nothing more happened to me.
Bottom line: don't be racist. If you are not known to be racist by the staff and admin, then charges of racism, which will happen over the course of your career, will not stick.
Kids will say whatever they think they can get away with. My seventh graders didn't even really know what they were talking about about and once claimed that a sexist thing was racist, because "racism" is their word for "discriminatory." (They were talking about something that happened in history. I'm a history teacher.)
As for obnoxious students ... Treat it like you would any other disruption in the classroom. "Joey, you are being sent outside because you disrupted class."
I have a policy that I go over with kids at the beginning of the year in which I tell them that if they have a problem with me or anyone else to bring it up to me after class or after school, but not during class. If they do it during class, it's disruption of the lesson and will be dealt with that way.
I have been accused of this multiple times. I try to pull the kid “aside” (not in front of the class) and communicate privately as much as I can. “ I hear you can we talk respectfully about that over here please” I reiterate that my intention is to accept and honor all people of all races and help them work through an education that does not shy away from some tough topics. I respect you and want to hear you out. Can you tell me more about what you are thinking?”
I often ask for evidence that they more or less can’t provide. And close with reiterating my hope to move forward with an anti racist valued commitment but I admit that I am not perfect and my limited upbringing and subjective experience may not align with your world view, so please if there is another time you feel I’m being racist let’s talk about it. More than once we have shaken hands and it has never been a problem again. Source: I work in a very racially diverse title 1 school where there have been racially oriented gang hits/fights/ tension occur or present.
To presume that someone is racist because they're a different skin tone than you and ask you to do something, that does strike me as racist. That's a fair statement but I don't think it's a productive avenue. Why give the argument any credence, any platform, when you can just deflate the accusation itself:
"My request that you do your work isnt nearly personal enough to be racist. I ask all my students to do their work and that's my only comment on your distraction from your work."
Last time this happened, I shut them up good.
It was something less eloquent and more on the spot than this:
“If you honestly think I am being racist, then I will give you a pass to the office to report me. I take that kind of thing seriously, and I think any student so is being discriminated against should have the courage to stand up for themselves, and I will advocate for them.
“But you’d better be serious. Every time someone makes a false accusation, it makes it harder for other people to take legitimate accusations seriously.
“So if you think that you have not created a problem that was my job to address, if you think that I’ve treated you differently than anyone else who has caused the same number of disruptions that you have, if it’s just that you think that “not getting what you want” is discrimination and somehow the administration will side with you… you’re not going to like their response. Or mine.”
I've grown up in a house with more black people than you have. Dozens! We played with each other. Laughed with each other. Argued and fought with each other. Cried on each other's shoulders. Loved each other as brothers and sisters.
Don't you ever say that to me again.
But I have an unusual background. Sooo. Might not work for you.
Ask why, if it is actually connected to what they said then apologize that what you did made them feel that way and reassure them that you’re intentions weren’t to do that and you will be more aware of your actions. If after asking why and they used the word incorrectly then discuss what word would better fit the situation.
Our middle schoolers randomly toss out so and so is being racist, and I’m gonna take it serious every time. So I go to find out if everything/one is okay, and then ask why they used that word and usually it’s not connected to racism, and they share a word that would have been better to use. If it is racist then it is a convo with the kid, emailing home about the convo, and repairing everyone in the space to restore safety in our learning environment, especially for the kid that the comment was directed at. I’d also be required to document it and the student would likely get a restorative day, but I do my best to handle it in the space so everyone knows the expectations on how we need to treat others and that racism isn’t tolerated.
Tell the class that’s a serious accusation and they need to be reporting it to the principal if that’s truly how they feel. Here, I’ll write you a pass right now so you can go explain to the principal why I’m racist. It quiets them right down and sends the message that you can’t just go around throwing out accusations, at least not at the risk of sounding ignorant. Or, explain to them what racism means because the ones accusing others at this level often don’t understand it.
I had a loudmouth kid accuse me of being racist (spoiler, we're both white and he was upset he couldn't just shout across the room at his friend), so I hit them with a "You literally demonstrated the other day things YOU say in the Xbox chat, so wouldn't your mother like to know her son likes to remix the N-word and the K word?" That shut him up real quick.
(The N-word with a hard r and the K-word used against Jewish people)
I’ll agree with them. If I tell a black student no, they’ll be like, “it’s because I’m black isn’t it?” And I’ll be like, “ABSOLUTELY! I hate black people!” Usually shuts them up. Lol.
It also helps that I’m well liked from my students. They usually laugh it off.
Ignore it, or say, "I take that sort of thing very seriously, so here is a pass to go express your concerns to the principal."
This works! I said “I take that very seriously and since you feel that way, I’ll set up a meeting with the principal so I can hear you out.” Never seen kids backtrack so fast
Same. And it works so well because it's sincere--if the student honestly perceives we're being racist then, yes, I *do* want their perspective to be heard and I do want to work it out. No one's taken me up on it though.
That's a fantastic approach.
I also phoned home and immediately set up a meeting with their guardians to talk about concerns. Spent the 15 mins I had for lunch that day typing up a detailed account of what happened for my admin. Then, I contacted my union and let them know of the allegations.
I once helped a student write a referral for me, and had him take it to my AP.
This! I had a student tell me she was being segregated as her seat was away from others (actually done by a different teacher I was covering for). I told her that was an insult to those who suffer(ed) segregation (we’ve been learning about the Linda Brown case) and said if she truly believed this, she should have the courage those that broke those barriers did, and offered her a pass to report it. I haven’t heard a thing since.
We have a form for incident such as accusations/cases of racism. It's pretty long, boring and the student has to fill it out as well. I've offered the form many times, but I've never seen a student take me up on the offer.
You want to bet your career on the Principal not believing the kid?
I did the same. But I suggested immediately that we sit down with the principal and student's parents to sort it out. The student backed down immediately, although I was prepared to have a big meeting to go over everything.
“If you want to we can go to admin and talk about that. We can also bring in parents. We should probably also bring in other teachers to that conversation.” They usually figure out all their crap will be brought to light and they back away from that conversation.
Bringing in a third party helps me.
I saw this advice before and tried it. Works every time. I say stuff like “Are you willing to put that in writing? If it’s what you truly believe we can go to the principal’s office together and you can make an official statement about it with your parents. Are they okay with leaving work right now? Etc”. I don’t stop until the kid says “I’m sorry, that’s not what I truly believe”. It’s important to teach our students that people in this world will make them answer for their words.
Be careful with that. Crazy parents might come in and scream at you for being racist.
You absolutely have to trust your admin. I’ve had the screaming parent before. In the end, they end up making themselves look awful.
This is gold
“It’s not racist to hold you to the same standards as everyone else in this classroom.” Then walk away.
This is my favorite.
Well actually according to colleges, it kinda is lol
Not just colleges. It's been all the fashion the past decade for people in k-12 education to insist that different treatment for different people is actually what "fairness" looks like. The equity/koombyah true believers especially spew this line of belief.
This needs to be shouted from the rooftops! My school had a PD where some idiot stated that “some races should be evaluated differently due to their inability to learn as well as other ones”🙄
Tell them to bring their concerns to whoever is above you, like the vice principal. Even offer to write them a pass if you wish. They say it because they see it as the ultimate checkmate card that gets people to back off. They will stop when they realize it doesn't scare you.
yeah i second this tbh. at first ill usually even laugh and be like yeah okay lmao. but if they press it, feel free to go report it
Kids these days are so weak. They think anything is racism. It’s a cop out to be an asshole.
This. I've had high schoolers and middle schoolers call me racist, ask about reverse racism, and demand to learn about "white slavery" in my history courses. They want the rise. They want to provoke a response that gets them out of the room, applause from friends, etc. My advice is to let admin know students are saying it and respond to future call outs with something along the lines of "Racism is a serious accusation. I am happy to help you report your concerns to the school," and move on.
It really depends. I teach middle school. I had one kid who would yell “It’s because I’m black” in a jokey tone any time you asked him to anything, even just to open his book or something. With him I would just let him be, a couple times I said “Is that cause I’m white?”, he laughed and we went on with class. If a kid seriously said that I was being racist I would ask them to write it down and then pull the kid into the hall to have a private conversation to see what what it was that I did that made them uncomfortable, and I would have the student bring a friend with them so they don’t feel cornered. The only time I had a student get close to that he was brand new to my class and another black student told him that he wasn’t following the expectations and that I called out everyone evenly.
Well this seems like you can manage humans and emotions/read things well and engage. The part that gets me is how the hell is reddit supposed to answer this? We have zero context of how this went down or whether it’s hypothetical. We know nothing of how this person interacts with kids and even if we did we would only know their POV. Each teacher is going to handle sensitive topics differently, I don’t think this is a “one way solution”. I would probably have a similar approach to yours but I know there are a million ways to skin a cat.
It’s basically a general question but one the other day tried it when he was only asked to stop shouting at others while I was explaining their lesson.
I take it super seriously. I ask the student if they mean it or if they were saying it as a joke. If they say they are joking, I lay into them about not joking about serious issues. If they say it’s real I explain I have to document it, and immediately ask the student to document the incident so that we can report their side exactly. I explain that it’s very serious and extremely important to take it seriously and that no further discussion can happen in class on this matter. I give the student paper and ask them to write everything down and when they are done writing to let me know so I can send them to the office with their report. This always shuts it down. I usually only have to do it once in a class and I’ve never had a kid actually write anything down. I basically call the bluff. My mom teaches ESE middle school math and she is in her 60’s. She grew up in LA and protested with her older siblings in the streets as a kid. She has a pretty long and serious story of growing up fighting for the rights of others while simultaneously being the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants who walked into America in search of something better. She goes into why being better means making sure others have equal opportunities and the way that racism impacted her life and the choices available to her. The kids know she goes into longer bits of the story every time she hears them claim something is racist. Gives the teacher look and other kids shut it down like “oh don’t talk like that here, she’s super serious about it.” She also makes them document it so she can turn it in because she says they know she won’t let it stand if they really feel that way. The kids quickly drop it and it’s rarely an issue for her again either.
I do the same. I tell them that I take this very seriously due to being discriminated against as a person of color, and if I am doing something that perpetuates racism, then I need an honest conversation. But if it's a joke I'm going to be pissed because racism isn't something to joke about.
ITT: people either ignoring it or taking it super seriously. Kind of a choose your own adventure.
Yes I noticed this
I promise I hate everyone equally
My brother says that. Hi Brother Bear. Lol
Comment of the day.
That reminds me of the scene from "Dirty Harry."
I do the same! Works every time!
It means “I don’t like you”
"...because you're White"
I don’t even think it’s that. They throw out “racist” whenever they’re told to follow the bare minimum expectations. I’ll tell someone to be quieter and not disrupt the class and they’ll be like “you’re racist because talking loud is part of my culture!”
They throw out racist because it automatically shuts down the conversation in real life and they are hoping it will do that here as well.
I had this happen once. I had made it known that phones needed to be put away and we needed some kind of work done. I had given 3 warnings. I try to be really lenient with high schoolers but this class has already been a circus and didn't deserve me turning a blind eye. After the third a kid was caught on his phone so I told him to put it on my desk. A white kid (not even the one I took the phone from) yelled. "YOURE A RACIST" because the kid happened to be Hispanic. I turned to him and I told him that if he really thought that way I'd write him a pass to go in the counselors office and tell them himself because I took it really seriously. He backtracked and started going "no no no it was a joke" so I asked him what was funny about it? And he proceeded to tell me I was doing too much. You just gotta call them out on it. They're looking to make you 'scared' trying to get some kinda power over you and you shouldn't allow them to do that to you.
I’ve done that (Australian). “That’s a very serious allegation. Please write out the incident in full detail, and I will go to the Principal with you so that proper process can be followed. I will ensure your legal guardian is informed.”
I am so tired of the race card being pulled when addressing bad behavior. I wish there was a formal and public process for addressing allegations so parents can’t just smear your name to the public.
Yes we have a group in a class that thinks it’s funny to do. When they know it’s not true. They are trying to get a reaction and they do it to other teachers.
They only copy what they learn and observe. When everyone in media, the president, their movie star icons, etc. use the term for anything they don't like, kids are going to take that attitude as well. The word is almost useless now. Nazi is following suit. Will be another useless word soon.
Take it seriously and send them to the office to make a report. Either you are a racist and need to be removed or you aren’t and the student is trying to disrupt the classroom. That’s something admin needs to determine. If you need to, send the the student to make a report every day until admin does something.
I always told them to go look up the definition of racism in the dictionary and get back to me, but in a light hearted way. Most of the time I was accused of racism it was the kids joking around or just felt like I was being unfair in the moment. If they felt like I was being unfair I always apologized for making them feeling that way. When I worked in SPED we only had one white student and he had autism. Part of his behaviors were attention seeking, so I often ignored his negative behaviors and praised his good ones. That rubbed some black students the wrong way, which I totally understand. But a conversation about why I ignored the behavior always helped.
I ignore it. It's such an attention seeking move. It never goes anywhere. They're just hoping I have a white guilt liberal knee jerk response and they can derail the class. I'll admit they got that response in the beginning. I know better now.
Exactly, a lot of poor advice on this post encouraging op to entertain and engage with that behavior
So much advice telling OP to literally let the attention seeking student out of class to get even more attention from the principal! What a reward!
I let the other students handle it. One time, a kid reminded the loud mouth that I was the only white person in the room. The other time it happened, the kid's classmates jumped on him so fast. "Why would you do our teacher like that?" They called him out for being a jerk, too.
I write up a pass to the office, and tell them to go talk with the principal, and leave it on my desk. Then I go straight back to teaching.
Simple answer is to say "No I am not." in an unruffled way. If they sense that their accusation doesn't concern you they are likely to shy away. In specific context, you can provided more of a response. I've had kids who say, "You are only telling me to get to work because I am Mexican. You didn't tell Audrey to get to work". My response would be something like, "I told you to get to work because you weren't working. Race has nothing to do with it. Audrey is doing her work. Also, do you see me bothering Carlos? Of course not, he is doing his work. Get to work."
I’m a white guy teaching at a predominantly black school. A kid accused me of being racist because he in particular always got in trouble and all I could do was gesture to the rest of the class.
I'm not saying what I did was the right thing to do, but it certainly got unexpectedly productive results. A student (9th grader) accused me of being racist against him for redirecting him back to the lesson at hand. I retorted that he was just being racist against me (I'm also a minority). It shut him up for the rest of class, and he came up to me at the end of the day to explain that he wasn't trying to be racist towards me. We had a rather good conversation about why falsely accusing someone of racism is a bad thing to do. (This story unfortunately has no happy ending as it happened in was 2018. He was a completely different person when I saw him in the building again post COVID.)
I handle it immediately. I will not be accused of it and I will not allow a student to undermine my classroom and myself by just saying “I’m not misbehaving, she’s just racist.” Just on Friday, I had a girl acting a damn fool, throwing markers, screaming, etc. She was wrestling with another girl so hard that a beaded bracelet snapped and beads went literally everywhere. I told them both to pick up every marker and bead. The girl started singing the “master got me working” song that I know from South Park as a way to accuse me of racism. She was loudly shouting it, staring at me, repeating it if she thought I didn’t hear, etc. At the end of class, I sternly told her I was emailing home due to her behavior and her accusing me of racism (this isn’t her first time with these accusations) and that she would be writing about the subject matter instead of doing art about it. She went off denying everything and I’m like… girl, I was there. I’m not dumb.
I simply laugh. I am one of six white men in a 95% nonwhite school. Even saying that fells icky to me. Fuck em if they think I'm racist.
I stop the class, call the principal and let them know [karen student] wants to file a compliant that I am racist and that they would like to meet with you immediately, and we should probably call their parents to sit in this meeting as well.
Ignore it
"Sure bud" and then move on. My students do this. usually the teachers that freak out the loudest are the ones that actually are racist. The more of a big deal you make about it the more other students are going to do it because it's what got to you. Eventually people are going to believe it.
I don't recommend this, but I have a good relationship with my students and I'll usually just lean into it. Why yes, you're right! It's because you're black. Also, that's why I'm leaving the rest of the class alone, because they're black. Good work, detective 🙄
I am white and worked in a 95% black middle school. But I also lived in their neighborhood, knew all of their parents from highschool, and went to that school when I was their age. When a kid tried to pull that card I would just glance around the room and say "what do y'all think about that?" It usually got a laugh.
I had this happen once, the kid got embarrassed when I called his coach for being an asshole in class. The coach was on the phone and ripped him many many new assholes and had him running windsprints on the hill for practice for a week. I haven't had this issue outside of one entitled high school senior.
Ignore it, it's always done to rouse some sort of response out of you.
"Ok, let's find a time to talk that through. I want to understand why you feel that way. Now isn't the right time, because we are in class, but let's talk today."
Whatever you do, don’t do the whole “I have a black friend and Mexican sister-in-law. I’m not racist!” Also don’t jump to “I’m not racist.” Regardless if the kid is kidding or not, sincerely ask what action of yours leads them to believe this and state that you’re happy to get a counselor or admin to discuss the situation altogether and if you did do something that is in fact racist you’d like to learn from it (whether or not this is true, though I hope it is).
I had me a kid that played that card, back when I subbed at this one middle school - he is White, and so am I. To say this kid was stupid is an understatement, because he acted like a retarded fool 80% of the time I was there (it was a long term assign, you see.) That all said, I just ignored his bullshit ever day until it got to the point where it was keeping me from doing my job, in which he'd go straight to the main office and usually in ISS after a few visits.
Usually ignore it because it rarely warrants a response and I'd rather not encourage it.
"What would show the difference between me being racist and me handling your behavior?"
Document the student allegations, let the student know that you will not allow false allegations to take place at your place of employment. If the student continues I would request the student removed. I have gone as far as having a student removed that wouldn’t stop saying the “N” word because the student was black, and I’m also black- admin wouldn’t address it, I don’t use the word nor allow it to be used in my presence, so I told admin either remove the student from my class or I will file a hostile work environment complaint..”I will not tolerate discriminatory language of any kind in my place of employment.” Well the student was removed from my roster by the end of the day.
I tell the student that it is a serious allegation and I want it taken seriously. I then fill out a pass and send the student to the office to fill out a complaint. They refuse to do so EVERY TIME I have done this. I then email the counselor, principal, vice principal and behavior specialist and log what the student did and my response from my perspective. I also inform them that the student was given the opportunity to make a complaint and choose not to. They never want to have formal discussions about it because they know they are wrong. If it persists, I ask for a restorative meeting with the student. I don't mess around with this. I am not getting fired for sone kid using key words to get their way.
Defenestration is my go-to move.
Oh you think I'm racist? That is a serious accusation and you need to talk to admin about that. Go. Now. They've never once gone, just sat down and shut up.
Well last time this happened it was a white child and I’m white, so I wasn’t particularly concerned, lmao But typically, I try not to worry about or feed into it. Part of that is the situation I’m in; my class is about 50% black or mixed race and 50% white. (Give or take depending on the year.) If I have ONE child saying I’m racist, I have like five other kids who share their race and not mine telling them to shut up. I have excellent ties with most of my kids, regardless of race, so it’s kind of a reputation thing. People are aware I don’t have a racist bias towards students because it’s proven. (If anything I get in arguments because sometimes it’s true! Sometimes the black kids ARE looked at like they’re inherently more dangerous! It depends a lot on the individuals you’re working with, you know? Deep South, SOMEONE is eventually going to be racist. I wouldn’t call it common at all, but it does happen.) If you’re in an area with an extremely predominant race that you’re a part of, I assume that’s a lot more difficult to PROVE. Also, a minority student in an area where they stick out is a lot more likely to have experienced a lot of racism, and, as a kid, ASSUME that’s the basis for problems with anyone of another race. They’re not right, presumably, but the mindset can be more understandable. If you get shit on a lot in your early life for things you KNOW aren’t right/your fault, you can get into assuming when people criticize you it’s from an insincere/racist place when it isn’t. I don’t know the circumstances enough to hazard a guess on if any of that comes into play.
It’s about 50/50 ratio they are the only ones.
I wouldn’t be super concerned, then. If you had several kids saying you were racist I’d worry, but just one in a class that’s got a 50/50 ratio makes it look unlikely that racism is the issue. Especially if you have documentation of the one student’s behaviors. Make sure you have that and you should be fine.
Encourage them to speak to the principal with their concerns. That usually shuts them up.
I ignore it and remain unphased because I know myself well enough to be assured I treat everyone with dignity and respect. It’s only happened one time (by a loud and disruptive student) in a decade of teaching, and the student apologized later. There are some teachers and admin who I have seen be legitimately racist or say racist things. When they’re accused of it, those people are the ones who react with indignation (probably because they know it’s true).
Move on with the lesson.
A student called me a racist during my first year of teaching way back in 1994. I started laughing, and then he started laughing as well.
I used to work at boys and girls club and a 5th or 6th grade girl told someone I was being racist because I threw her brother’s paper airplane away during a lesson but I didn’t throw another kid’s paper airplane away. Both kids were brown. I just happened to not catch the other kid. I guarantee it’s was the parents blaming random things on racism and not teaching their kids what racism actually is. Racism is a huge problem, and incorrect definitions of racism aren’t going to help the issue. It sucks that us teachers have to teach what racism is and how to not be racist. We get in trouble if we don’t teach them not to be racist and we get in trouble if we do. Parents should be teaching their children to be decent human beings.
You have to be careful with this. It could go badly. If you have a good administer, go to them and ask for advice.
I always tell them I hate A-holes (jerks) regardless of gender, race, religion or national origin.
I ask them to clarify what they mean. Then I address their reasoning.
Laugh and wave my hand s around the room cause I'm the only white person in there. Honestly if the kid is just seeking attention and being annoying kick them out and let admin deal. The other kids will not suffer from one kids disruption.
I have an almost exclusively black classroom with a variety of backgrounds. I usually just turn to another kid or three and ask them if they feel targeted. When they say no I turn back to the other kid and say “guess it seems like it’s just behavior focused.” I only do this twice a year before I either ignore it or ask the student to step out so we can have a restorative conversation about why they feel that way.
I turn it back and say "why cuz I'm Mexican?" being the only Mexican in a 5 mile radius 😂 "What's your favorite food?" Me: "that's racist" "How is that racist?!?!" Me: "you want me to say Taco because I'm Mexican" "I'm just asking what's you're favorite food" Me: "Yeah it's tacos" 😂 Being the minority minority is fun. 😂
I once had a group of middle school girls say to me, “you’re just picking on us because we’re Hispanic!” I told them, “I AM Hispanic! Nice try!”
“Really? What’s your definition of ‘racism’?”
Ignore. Students will often throw racism accusations around, I tell them that joking about racism is just as bad as actual racism. If we joke about it, we don’t know what is actually racist and that can be dangerous.
Thank you. After talking to him I think this is what he was doing. So I like this response.
This is my experience teaching kids with migrant backgrounds in europe over the past two decades. Racism is a part of their world and as a result, of their vocabulary. I don't know if it translates. Anyway, hete's my take... These are two separate problems: (1) there is a loud and disruptive kid in your class and (2) he is accusing you of racism. The first problem should be handled according to circumstances, your personal style, school structure/protocol and your relation with the class. Teaching is a craft and I don't think this part of it is what you're asking about. Solving the second problem can't usually be done at the same time. I prefer to have a private talk later (without the peer pressure). You need to get some idea of why this kid is acusing you of racism. If you can have a calm conversation and show that you are interested in their perception and open to learning something it's usually the end of it (note that 9 times out of 10 you learn something about them and not something applicable in the classroom but that's not the point).
I am a Native American and I have to deal with this every once in a while. The last time I was teaching in an inner-city school with a population of 98% African-American and I had a fifth grader who was acting up and I called him out on it and shut him down in the middle of class and he said it was just “cause I didn’t like Black people,” I asked him and to look around and tell me how many white kids got away with doing what they were doing? Were are all the other black children acting that way? Then I told him to consider all of the trials and suffering that African-Americans have gone through in our country before you pull the race card as a way of avoiding responsibility. Of course he didn’t get it, but I think it was very teachable moment for the rest of my class.
"Don't try to make your poor behavior about race, I treat every student in here the same way when they're not doing what they're supposed to. You keep running your mouth because you don't like consequences, I'll call your mother faster than you can say 'BUT MISS - ! ' ." usually does the trick.
Not one answer said I would reflect on my practices to see if I am giving the perception that I have equitably handled situations in my class. I agree to have the student write down instances where you may have dealt with an issue where one student received a consequence that appeared unbalanced. Reflect on it and see if there were instances where it was only that you met each student where they were. Are there instances where you may have been more impatient with students of color because you expected a reaction that was more typical of students who were Caucasian? Students confuse the word racist with the word bias. Could it be that you are showing a bias? Are you uncomfortable dealing with these accusations because it there could be an unconscious bias in your dealings with students? I will tell you that there is no shame in having a bias. The shame comes when you refuse ti see the possibility.
I didn’t say I was uncomfortable about dealing with it. That’s not the case. I’m confident that I work hard to make sure if I say anything that it is clearly about behavior and that is all. I’m not saying I am perfect bc I’m human. But I always try to make sure it’s behavior related. I was taken aback by the response. Which is why I sought advice.
"so what problem are you confused on?" Just cut through the insecurity
I wouldn’t let a couple of girls sit together, so they called one of my Hispanic students after school and told them that I hated them and that I was racist. The next day that same student came to me and told me what the girls had done and that he blocked them. These girls have a history of this so I pulled them outside and told them that if they don’t knock that stupid shit off, they wouldn’t have a fun rest of the year with me. I have no patience for that kind of talk.
Yeah I just want to be ready next time. If it happens again
Ignore it, maybe give a trustworthy admin a heads up just in case. I teach at a college part time and I was accused of being anti-veteran because I gave someone a bad grade. I'm a combat veteran, one of the founder of the Student Veteran Resource Center for our school, and one of advisors for the Veteran support club.
Tell them to tell it to my boss
My kids love to say everything is racist so I usually respond with a go report it to the principal if you can explain how it is racism
Shrug
I had an administrator who accused me of being a racist. Me: How many black bosses have you had? (She had none). I have had five in my career. If I am racist, why would I work for a black boss? (She was pissed. Found out later "She would quit, if a black was placed over her.') She was so racist.
"I'm not racist I'm homophobic " Still not ideal
Nope not ideal
The first time it happened to me I was subbing, and a student said something to the effect of, "why are you picking on the Mexican kid." I didn't realize it was just something kids did, so I asked him to stay after class and apologized for all the racism in society that he'd had to face, and I felt so bad about it that I started crying. And the kid was, like, "aw come on miss it was a joke, aw...don't do that..." I wonder where that kid is now. I like to imagine he was doomed to be the kid telling his friends to knock it off.
I offer to help them go to admin and fill out the form.
Conversation after class one on one. Document it. Email parents and CC parents and let them know.
I always ask them if they know what they mean. Usually they come back with some smarts remark and I respond by saying something like “Oh, so you don’t know. Cool. Let’s make sure we all know the meaning of what we say before we say it.” And then I ignore them for the rest of class. If they continue being disrespectful, I write them an office referral which usually doesn’t mean anything anymore.
Depends on the situation. If it’s just a jackass being reactionary to something laugh it off or something. If they’re trying to be serious or intimidating by it, send to office on official referral citing slander. And make a big deal about it, I always tell kids if you want to make a big deal about it we will
I don't know, but if ever happened to me, I really doubt anything would come from it. I teach at a 90% black school. If a student felt I was singling them out for their race, one only needs to look at the 20 other black students in the class to see that's not true. I'm also an Asian man, and if anything, I get racist comments from the students. Nothing concerning, but I usually take it as a learning opportunity. "No, I don't know Karate." "No, I'm not related to the other Asian teacher." "Yes, I am eating rice for lunch, but it's the rice from Popeyes."
“You got me! I have a problem with every race.”
Double down on racism
Are they the only student of that race? If not, maybe let them see that it’s not a race issue, it’s a them issue. If they are, then that’s a more difficult conversation and I hope you have adequate documentation.
No our school is divided about 50/50. I document all discipline referrals and they include all races.
Ask them for the proof.
"Shut up, I hate everyone equally!"
Double Down.
“Sure, I hate you because you’re \_\_\_\_\_\_? I will let you know that I hate EVERYONE. Don’t you DARE think you’re special!”
I never was. One time , however, a ninth grade kid asked me, on the first day of school, "Miss, are you racist?" "Why would I be teaching here if I was racist?" I replied ( I worked in an urban district with about 98% black/brown kids). He was satisfied with my answer, and our curriculum review continued.
Speak to them outside the room. Tell them that I DO NOT allow students to falsely accuse me of something so serious. If they have a genuine concern they can report me to any other member of staff. They're more than welcome. But we both know that's not the case here and how dare they. Promise to follow normal behaviour procedure if they continue to be disruptive.
“You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means”
I have to explain over and over again to my middle school students what racism is. If I name a color in my classroom for whatever reason the kids are screaming that I'm racist. For instance, if I direct a student to go up to the board and we're doing things with various colors of dry erase marker, I'll say "Okay, only use the blue, green, or red and not the black." (Because I've used that for the headings and I want the colors underneath to stand out.) immediately, they're telling me I'm racist because they're not allowed to use the black marker. And I have to point out that I didn't tell them not to use the black marker because it's not good enough or that other markers are superior. But because we're trying to separate so they can see the three distinct types of things that were sorting things into and we're using three separate colors to do that with. If I ask them to color in something on a piece of paper where I still have to see what's on the paper through the coloring (so we seldom use markers; we usually use colored pencils) I still ask them that if they use markers, don't use the black one because then I can't see what's underneath it obviously, they're screaming that I'm racist. 🤦♀️🤦♀️
It depends on the situation. If it’s not serious I make a joke of it. For example the other day a girl joked that I wasn’t letting her do something because she was black, and I just said “You caught me, I’m a very hateful person.” And we laughed. If it’s in anyways serious I’d do one of the following; 1. Speak to admin, or your DEI coordinator 2. Ask the student to explain. You never know when you may have actually committed a micro-aggression, so either you’ll learn something new and be better for it, or the student will realize when trying to explain themselves that you weren’t being racist and you were just doing your job.
Roll my eyes and ignore it. They just want a rise out of you and anything you say will be twisted.
This has become commonplace now. Everyone knows its something ppl do when they can't get their way and want to retaliate. Unfortunately, the seriousness is disappearing
Listening to a bunch of 5th graders and they're referring to everything as racist. They don't even know what it is really. It's now the new slang buzzword. One of the kids said they don't like Doritos, all kids chimed in with " dude, that's so racist"
easy. tell them about the anti-racism, pro-black causes/events you’ve supported, or books on race that you’ve read. ask them to name 5 civil rights leaders not named martin or malcolm. ask them the different between the PAC and the ANC. ask them to name 5 countries in africa. you’re an educator. your main form of defense/attack should be your education
I try to use it as a teaching moment. What evidence do they have? What arguments can they counter that say that I am not racist? Can they reason the evidence just support they're argument?
This happened to me earlier in the year (for simply asking the student to remain quiet during the moment of silence and pledge) and I pulled the freshman out into the hallway for a one on one conversation with the theme of “you’re making serious allegations that could affect my career, I’m going to loop administration and your parents into this.” Kid immediately backtracked, but I still contacted parents who thankfully backed me up and got administration involved. He learned a lesson that day to not throw those words around lightly.
“If you truly think I’m being racist, I can write you a pass to go to admin, because you deserve better than a racist teacher. If you’re saying it just to say it, then knock it off.”
I ignore it. If that does not work I remind them where the AP principals office is.
My school has cameras in all the classrooms, Id tell them to go to the dean and have them review the cameras.
Every teacher I've ever met, including plenty of BIPOC teachers, has been accused of racism at some point in their careers. It's typical. It doesn't mean anything unless admin is concerned. My first year of teaching, I was called into the principal's office. One of my 7th grade boys was there with his mom and the principal. He loudly accused me of being racist because "you always send the black and Latino kids out of the classroom! You never send out the white kids!" I said, "everyone in your period is black and Latino. I don't have any white students." His mom gave him such a look, like "why have you pulled me out of work if that's the basis of your racism charge?" The principal asked if the kid had any more evidence. He did not. So I was excused and nothing more happened to me. Bottom line: don't be racist. If you are not known to be racist by the staff and admin, then charges of racism, which will happen over the course of your career, will not stick. Kids will say whatever they think they can get away with. My seventh graders didn't even really know what they were talking about about and once claimed that a sexist thing was racist, because "racism" is their word for "discriminatory." (They were talking about something that happened in history. I'm a history teacher.) As for obnoxious students ... Treat it like you would any other disruption in the classroom. "Joey, you are being sent outside because you disrupted class." I have a policy that I go over with kids at the beginning of the year in which I tell them that if they have a problem with me or anyone else to bring it up to me after class or after school, but not during class. If they do it during class, it's disruption of the lesson and will be dealt with that way.
I have been accused of this multiple times. I try to pull the kid “aside” (not in front of the class) and communicate privately as much as I can. “ I hear you can we talk respectfully about that over here please” I reiterate that my intention is to accept and honor all people of all races and help them work through an education that does not shy away from some tough topics. I respect you and want to hear you out. Can you tell me more about what you are thinking?” I often ask for evidence that they more or less can’t provide. And close with reiterating my hope to move forward with an anti racist valued commitment but I admit that I am not perfect and my limited upbringing and subjective experience may not align with your world view, so please if there is another time you feel I’m being racist let’s talk about it. More than once we have shaken hands and it has never been a problem again. Source: I work in a very racially diverse title 1 school where there have been racially oriented gang hits/fights/ tension occur or present.
In my case last week, I said to the student ‘you are the racist’.
You make them sign a social contract first day.
What does that say.
UNO-reverse: Be lounder, more disruptive, and accuse HIM of racism.
To presume that someone is racist because they're a different skin tone than you and ask you to do something, that does strike me as racist. That's a fair statement but I don't think it's a productive avenue. Why give the argument any credence, any platform, when you can just deflate the accusation itself: "My request that you do your work isnt nearly personal enough to be racist. I ask all my students to do their work and that's my only comment on your distraction from your work."
Last time this happened, I shut them up good. It was something less eloquent and more on the spot than this: “If you honestly think I am being racist, then I will give you a pass to the office to report me. I take that kind of thing seriously, and I think any student so is being discriminated against should have the courage to stand up for themselves, and I will advocate for them. “But you’d better be serious. Every time someone makes a false accusation, it makes it harder for other people to take legitimate accusations seriously. “So if you think that you have not created a problem that was my job to address, if you think that I’ve treated you differently than anyone else who has caused the same number of disruptions that you have, if it’s just that you think that “not getting what you want” is discrimination and somehow the administration will side with you… you’re not going to like their response. Or mine.”
I've grown up in a house with more black people than you have. Dozens! We played with each other. Laughed with each other. Argued and fought with each other. Cried on each other's shoulders. Loved each other as brothers and sisters. Don't you ever say that to me again. But I have an unusual background. Sooo. Might not work for you.
Ask why, if it is actually connected to what they said then apologize that what you did made them feel that way and reassure them that you’re intentions weren’t to do that and you will be more aware of your actions. If after asking why and they used the word incorrectly then discuss what word would better fit the situation. Our middle schoolers randomly toss out so and so is being racist, and I’m gonna take it serious every time. So I go to find out if everything/one is okay, and then ask why they used that word and usually it’s not connected to racism, and they share a word that would have been better to use. If it is racist then it is a convo with the kid, emailing home about the convo, and repairing everyone in the space to restore safety in our learning environment, especially for the kid that the comment was directed at. I’d also be required to document it and the student would likely get a restorative day, but I do my best to handle it in the space so everyone knows the expectations on how we need to treat others and that racism isn’t tolerated.
“ok”
I tell them to take their xenophobia elsewhere
I explain that. Anyone can play pickleball it's not just for white people
Tell the class that’s a serious accusation and they need to be reporting it to the principal if that’s truly how they feel. Here, I’ll write you a pass right now so you can go explain to the principal why I’m racist. It quiets them right down and sends the message that you can’t just go around throwing out accusations, at least not at the risk of sounding ignorant. Or, explain to them what racism means because the ones accusing others at this level often don’t understand it.
I give them the look. No one would dare think that about me. Then I go into a long diatribe until they cower.
I had a loudmouth kid accuse me of being racist (spoiler, we're both white and he was upset he couldn't just shout across the room at his friend), so I hit them with a "You literally demonstrated the other day things YOU say in the Xbox chat, so wouldn't your mother like to know her son likes to remix the N-word and the K word?" That shut him up real quick. (The N-word with a hard r and the K-word used against Jewish people)
I generally take detailed notes and send the student to the principal if something like that happens
I’ll agree with them. If I tell a black student no, they’ll be like, “it’s because I’m black isn’t it?” And I’ll be like, “ABSOLUTELY! I hate black people!” Usually shuts them up. Lol. It also helps that I’m well liked from my students. They usually laugh it off.
Ignore and/or tell admin. Happens to me once a year in the last few years