Work thus far has mostly involved me meeting people and then, watching them. It’s how I learn. I have tried to show my face, and make sure people are learning about me from watching me, as well.
Friday morning, at about 9 AM, an hour after school began, I walked towards the office to speak with an administrator. On the way, I caught sight of a small boy- maybe 9 years old- being berated by a staff person. I thought to myself ” Is that her child? i didnt know she had any kids here?” and moments later, another woman walked through the doors of the school, and the child was released from his position- hunched on a box of books.
This new woman walked directly to the child, pulled his by his collar, to the middle of the foyer, and then hit him so hard on the head that my stomach dropped. His tears turned into alligators as he tried to walk the other way. Again, she pulled his collar. This time, leading him to the bathroom. She was so loud and angry; the scene so uncomfortable that the 2 older boys in the bathroom darted out. She went onto scold him about his infraction.
Trying not to appear too upset about this- I stood casually by for a moment before walking off. There are two comments I have about this.
1) If this woman can hit and humilate her child so unapologetically in front of his peers and his school. What is happening at home? what happenED at home, last night? It hurts to think of how this boy is experiencing life.
2) On my role in this moment: As a new staff, and a White staff, I have to be careful about how I begin my time here. I need to gain the trust of staff and students. And as a White person, I must be conscious of what people like to call “cultural differences”.
This is not unbearably complex, but certainly it must be said that “cultural differences” is a bullshit term. because it implies all Black people support violence and humiliation of children. And they do not. But those who don’t support this, also recognize this as part of “their” “way of life”. When speaking with these peers about this- I was surprised at how unwilling any of them were to really speak against it.
As of this moment, I haven’t yet made the call. And I don’t know when I will. Not because I don’t care but because I realize that the politics of the situation are perilous, and need to be aware of that. I have reached out to a few more colleagues for advice, and will keep you posted.
