Are You Trayvon's Teacher?

This is not a political discussion. Many of us have young, black teens in our classrooms. Every year we celebrate Black History Month, commemorate Dr. King's birthday, teach Langston Hughes' poetry.

But whatever our ethnicity is, as a teacher, as an adult, what do we communicate to our teenagers, boys and girls, about public safety and interacting with the world?

Teenagers are generally under suspicion for petty crime (i.e. shoplifting, tagging, property damage) almost always. All teenagers. Because some teens do these actions. A black teen in a hoody is suspect to the same, plus possible gang affiliation. On sight.

Is this right? Of course not. But as we listen to the conversation from black parents about this circumstance, it is mind-blowing the extent of outright prejudice that is still practiced in the US; the restriction black teens have imposed on them by their own parents just because they are black in a predominantly white-run community.

What should teachers say? In school we have dress code, deportment in the halls, appropriate speech (please use standard English) to staff and other students. I've taught in secondary schools where the staff really worked at a good school culture and succeeded. Then the school day ends. The kids go home into the community.

The legal questions about Trayvon's right to walk to his dad's house--let's not go there. Let's not discuss Zimmerman. Let's think about what to tell kids if they are questioned by an adult, maybe neighborhood watch.

These are just my suggestions:
1. Speak in a calm voice.
2. Answer questions, such as your destination, simply, clearly in standard English.
3. State that you are now going to that destination; say good evening and go.
4. Call a responsible adult in close proximity and say how long it will take to get home.

I'm sure others have much better suggestions. I, personally, don't believe we are robbing anyone of free speech rights to ask for respectful speech in standard English for the sake of communication. From all citizens. Walking through the community, on talk shows, on Twitter--everywhere.

We, the caring community of adults (education, law enforcement, the church), need to collaborate on teaching kids how to respond to this. How much more terrifying their world must be now.

I was not surprised with the communication disconnect with Rachel Jeantel, witness for the prosecution. I taught secondary school kids in the Inland Empire of SoCal and also interacted with parents, so I could understand her perfectly. But the remainder of America could have trouble, like they might talking to a Valley girl about fashion or a techie about computer code. I have trouble understanding everyone on BBC America.

I appreciated Rachel's responses to the questioning, actually. She appeared to me a young person in a tragic and frightening circumstance just trying to tell her version of what she heard. And as far as not reading cursive--although I taught it, cursive writing has not been taught for at least fifteen years by the teachers I worked with in SoCal. I suspect there are teachers who can't read or write it.

We must empower teens of all ethnicities to participate in community life. We can model respectful communication skills that reflect acknowledgement of the civil rights  of all citizens. We must take the edge off the terror and mistrust of each other. And, sometimes, it is going to take more (maybe psychiatric help) to alleviate the hostile paranoia of some citizens on the fringe. I don't have all the answers, but I do recognize that pathology.

Those of us adults, of all ethnicities, that are now activated by Trayvon's death--let's mobilize to help all of our communities to nurture and empower our kids to safety and health. Emphasis on our kids. All of our kids.



Here's a little good news:

Trayvon's friend gets college scholarship from Tom Joyner
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/trayvon-martins-friend-gets-college-scholarship-of/nYsy3/