As I stated in @joelbc1 's public school thread, we moved our son to a Charter school that focuses on social emotional learning, but is also populated by 70% disadvantaged kids. The CEO/Superintendent's goal is to have a more diverse population; however, the longer my (only white kid in his class) son is there, the more I'm realizing us "rich white folk" may not be a fit.
- Monday, my son was being teased by another girl for his "trashy blond hair", "ugly blue eyes", and "rabbit teeth". Okay, not big deal that's what kids do. We used it as a teachable moment. Hell, my middle daughter went to high school that was only 17% white and she was one of two white girls on her dance team. Her experiences aided in her living a color blind life.
- My no-pics wife is on the interview panel for a new Principal search. Today, she was told one of the primary concerns for the Principal they are interviewing today is that "She's white".
This brings so many questions to mind. Can we ever have a truly integrated society as long as there are have and have nots? What do I have in common with parents who aren't educated and are living in poverty? Should I be ashamed I have a education, a great career, etc.? I worked hard for these things, they weren't given.
Originally, my wife and I were excited for the opportunity to be part of this school knowing our financial status will enable us to serve those in need--we've already been donating our time & money and looking for ways to help. But if we're going to be looked at as just some "rich out of touch white people", I'm not sure how much good we can do.
I grew up lower-middle class and have lived pay-check-to-paycheck before having the power company turn off the lights every-other-month, so I get it, but I'm not sure how to handle this new wrinkle. That hasn't been my life for a long time.
- Monday, my son was being teased by another girl for his "trashy blond hair", "ugly blue eyes", and "rabbit teeth". Okay, not big deal that's what kids do. We used it as a teachable moment. Hell, my middle daughter went to high school that was only 17% white and she was one of two white girls on her dance team. Her experiences aided in her living a color blind life.
- My no-pics wife is on the interview panel for a new Principal search. Today, she was told one of the primary concerns for the Principal they are interviewing today is that "She's white".
This brings so many questions to mind. Can we ever have a truly integrated society as long as there are have and have nots? What do I have in common with parents who aren't educated and are living in poverty? Should I be ashamed I have a education, a great career, etc.? I worked hard for these things, they weren't given.
Originally, my wife and I were excited for the opportunity to be part of this school knowing our financial status will enable us to serve those in need--we've already been donating our time & money and looking for ways to help. But if we're going to be looked at as just some "rich out of touch white people", I'm not sure how much good we can do.
I grew up lower-middle class and have lived pay-check-to-paycheck before having the power company turn off the lights every-other-month, so I get it, but I'm not sure how to handle this new wrinkle. That hasn't been my life for a long time.
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