Comments on: A Skinny White Kid Walks The Walk

By: Keegan

Keegan — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:25:41 +0000

I had to play that game too! To tutor in a DC school.
I was tied for first with two girls at the front of the room. When the instructor came up front to ask how it felt to be in the lead, do you think she asked the girl on my right? The girl on my left? Nope. Me. The white guy.

She said “if you’ve ever felt discriminated against, take 2 steps back,” and i asked “does this game count?”

By: HHomer

HHomer — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:57:38 +0000

AMeek – you are right, it is not the job of children to hold open the door for those behind them. Nothing could or should stop parents doing everything to support their children’s education. The point is that the state has a role in helping those children who don’t have supportive parents or families. It may be the parents’ fault that they are indolent or destitute, but it certainly isn’t the child’s fault. If we take steps to ensure every child fulfills their potential, giving more help to those that need it, it is not going to harm the life chances of the well off who will continue look after themselves.

By: coleman

coleman — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:54:54 +0000

Thank you for your commitment to the teaching profession. Hang in there. Compromise, collaborate, work with the system. You’ll end up having significant impact by leading through example.

By: AMeek

AMeek — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:57:34 +0000

Forgive me for what I hope is not perceived as an insensitive question: At what point does our background and upbringing become part of that equal opportunity? In other words, the fact that one person’s parents didn’t take as much interest in that person’s homework as another person’s parents; does that mean that the latter must hold the door open for the former? Thomas, your illustration raises not so much an issue about awareness of others’ backgrounds as it does the inherent unfairness of requiring those who are “out in front” to wait for, or extend help to, those who trail. I have always felt equal opportunity should not be a guarantee of success. I think most would agree with that. The problem, as I see it, is that equal opportunity is a moving target that is affected by as many personal choices as outside influences (this is the point I think many would deny, and it is that denial that makes debate nearly impossible). Getting ahead, because of personal and parent (even grandparent) responsibility, should not be a bad thing.

By: HHomer

HHomer — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:06:10 +0000

Thomas, your commitment to educating in the inner city is to be commended. If a simple game helps illustrate to future teachers how much background and upbringing affects life chances then I don’t see how that can be a bad thing. You have no reason to be ashamed of who you are, but denying that all children have an equal chance of academic success would not be realistic. The challenge is how to create an education system that provides opportunities for all and has high expectations for all.