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!) When it comes to literature, depending on the context, almost all pieces of writing have at least some educational value. This poem can be used to discuss the various elements of poetry and writing or it can be used to discuss historical context, the author's point of view, etc. The better question is whether the poem is appropriate or what is the purpose of the reading? Is the poem simply to create an air of hostility, is it to appreciate poetic writings, or is it used as a platform for discussion? As for your sister's perceived legitimacy as a teacher, that will really rise and fall with the circumstances. Her true legitimacy will be bound to her conduct as a professional, and she should conduct herself as such and create an atmosphere of respect and high expectations within her classroom, and hopefully the students will respond in the appropriate manner.