Case
"That's racist!"

I am currently involved with a class that likes to immediately pull the racist card anytime someone is disciplined. Any ideas on how to educate these students on culture and race, or ideas how to deter them from doing this?

Posted on: 10/09/16 | Views: 1182
Solution #1
Top Solution
I would remind students that it is the behavior that is being disciplined and it has nothing to do with the race of the student. I would remind students that the rules apply to every person in the classroom and I would appreciate if they would not try to divide us as a community by stating that a student's race has something to do with why they are being disciplined. I would make sure to apply some cultural lessons early on into the school year so they have some background knowledge on racism in America, too. Students will be more likely to stop the statements if they have a better understanding of rules, procedures, and the history of true racism.

I completely agree on this solution! Kids need to realize it's not the person being singled out and punished but the behavior that is being punished and I would definitely then do a lesson on racism/prejudice/stereotypes because they might not know what all of those terms means and how serious it is to accuse someone of those things.

I love this!! This is exactly what I would do. Students need to understand that race has nothing to do with the consequences to their behavior.

This is a great solution. I feel like those students need to learn now while they are in school and a learning environment, because when they are older and they try something like that out in the streets, it is not going to be easily handled and they will learn the hard way. I think this is a great history lesson as well, so not only are the students getting education, but also social skills.

This is a great solution. Students should know that is not something to accuse someone of and be informed on what racism actually is and how there is not a tolerance for it in the classroom.

Yes; use information to guide the student's understanding regarding racism.

This is the best solution and I would do exactly this. Doing a lesson on racism and stereotypes is most likely going to be effective.

This is an awesome way of handling this!!!

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Solution #2
Plan a lesson around the history of racism and explain how serious it is to call someone a racist. I find that most students are uneducated about the history of race and they don't understand the severity or meaning of the word. Their are many books that help address this in a classroom.
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Solution #3
Sounds like you have a class full of jokers. I would show a video or read a book that provides them with a detailed image of what racism is/ entails and then have a class discussion. Create a venn-diagram comparing what was learned from the book/video to what is happening in the classroom. This will help the students see the severeness of their words and why it is not funny to joke about.
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Solution #4
Explain to them what racism is and why its not appropriate to call everything racist. Maybe take an hour to educate them on racism, it sounds like its a case of misunderstanding and immaturity!

Yes. This student needs to understand the severity of these claims.

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Solution #5
When I was in school my teacher provided us with the Freedom Writers, this taught us about racism and difference between cultural ideals. I believe a lesson on the past and Dr. Martin Luther King may be beneficial. It's always good to review our history and to make all races feel included.
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Solution #6
I would do a lesson on civil rights history for the whole class. Figures like Martin Luther King and Rosa parks would be a good lesson for these students. You could even play an impactful video to educate your students on racism in America.
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Solution #7
There are many ways to educate students on culture and race, there are even sites online that give teachers ideas and lesson plans on just about anything. Just take a quick look and I'm sure you'll find what you need. You could have students do a project researching their own culture/race and have them present to the class. You definitely need to let them know distinctly what is and is not considered "racist". Someone just getting in trouble for something bad they did doesn't mean it's because of their race. Maybe have a bunch of situations listed and have them identify which are and are not racist situations.
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Solution #8
I think is really important to recognize that choices have consequences whether you are from a minority group or not. I will have a conversation with the class and make it really clear to everyone that the same rules apply to everyone. I know it can be frustrating when you are being fair and professional and someone out of the blue says: "that is racist".
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Solution #9
I would try to teach the students about respecting each other and how they can speak to one another. This would include examples of being a good and bad friend, and words that may be said. If someone is being racist, explain the proper way to handle it. Explain the seriousness of that accusation, and explain to students when it is proper to bring attention to it. Tell students they will begin to be disciplined if they make that statement in the classroom without actual reason, and if they say it they must document the reason in an official report in the classroom (ultimately to deter them unless it actually happens).
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Solution #10
The important part is to make them not only understand why they are being punished both fairly and rightly but also that saying things like is not only damaging to their own argument and that may it could hurt the real problems that we may need to address in the real world with them. You as a teacher are the authority in the class but the students still need to understand why things are how they are, educate with the punishment.

Great Idea

This is a great approach to the situation at hand.

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Solution #11
I would let this of these students know that no matter what race you are everyone is disciplined in the same manner. Maybe you should report this to the administration so that there is not an issue in the long run.
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Solution #12
A good approach may be reminding your students that race does not have any correlation to behavior. Providing examples from the real world may open their eyes. It is important to also point out that all students, regardless of race, are disciplined the same way or similarly.
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Solution #13
A solution would be to talk to the students and address why this is inappropriate along with unacceptable. Remind the student of the classroom rules and procedures. This should be a rule in the classroom of respecting other. If there is not any rule set up addressing this issue, a rule and consequences needs to be made. The student then needs to be held accountable to their actions. If the student continues to do this, consequences needs to be given. The teacher needs to be consistent with the consequences. It needs to be addressed that race does not play into effect of why or how a student it disciplined. It is based on the student's choices and actions.
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Solution #14
I would try to explain to them that using the phrase "that's racist" as a joke is inappropriate, while it might happen on social media it's not okay in school. I would then try to educate them on how serious racism can be and examples of what actually is racist.
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Solution #15
I'd simply ignore this accusation. If you get defensive, they'll see that it's working and use it again next time. Simply say "no, this behavior is inappropriate/against the rules" and let that be the end of it. I wouldn't try to turn it into a cultural or racial lesson.
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Solution #16
Remind students of classroom and school policies and anyone who does not follow these procedures are to be punished no matter what. Definitely, remind them that what they are also saying can be insensitive and that racism has no factor in discipline.
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