Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: White Intern in a Black inner-city school My sister, Gina, who is a young White girl, started her student teaching in a predominantly Black school in inner-city America. She initially approached her job with optimism and purpose. However, she began to experience her first doubts with the presentation of an emotionally charged poetry reading at an all-school assembly. The poem painted a picture of the oppression of the African Americans by the European American majority. My sister was moved by the poem and accepted the historical truth of its message. At the same, she said she wondered what educational effects of the poem were and whether it would affect her legitimacy as a White teacher in a Black school. She talked to me about her experience. I am an experienced teacher, but I could not answer whether poems like that have any educational value, and whether or not my sister should worry about her legitimacy as a White teacher. I don't what she should do in this specific situation. Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) It is good that the students are exposed to some artistic representation of historical events. I can understand her concern that she might be seen as an unjust oppressor worthy of contempt. It would be good if she could introduce some theme important to the African American community into one of her lessons. She could demonstrate her understanding and respect to them that way. She could talk about the contributions of an African American to a particular field the students are studying. They they will hopefully not stereotype her because of her appearance. I think it will mean something to them if she discusses the issue on their level, but in a way that relates to the subject she is teaching.