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Guilt-mongering video does nothing to enlighten Lodi's teachers


Saturday, December 8, 2007 6:42 AM PST

Comments (68 comment(s))

In my column last week about the DVD shown to many Lodi Unified School district teachers and administrators, "Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible," I ran out of space before I could finish everything I had to say about the foolish, time-wasting exercise of watching it.

I'll wrap up my critical review this week before turning to more festive, Christmas subjects in the following weeks.

To make sure I didn't misconstrue what I called an accusatory theme — all whites are racist — in "Mirrors of Privilege," I struggled through it again hoping for, but not getting, a different impression.

The so-called documentary, which pounds away at the false, counterproductive and hurtful concept that whites are not sensitive to black or brown people, is flawed at every level. Worse, it's dishonest.

The premise in "Mirror of Privilege" that whites are racist by definition is not factually supported. A handful of random and disconnected interviews with white subjects living in states as remote from each other as Connecticut and California recounting their observations from long ago of isolated incidents of racism don't amount to anything.

Complicating and ultimately thwarting the film's desired goal of imposing massive guilt on whites is that charges of racism have been leveled so frequently and at so many targets — myself prominently included — over the last two decades that the word no longer has meaning. Consequently, the constant harping on racism closes rather than opens minds.

But the film's biggest problem is its deceitfulness. Here's what I mean.

A white woman, recalling a diversity seminar she attended that was hosted by a black woman, said the moderator opened the session by saying that every morning when she wakes up, she reminds herself that she's a "black woman."

How many of you, asked the moderator, think of yourselves as "white"?

Naturally, no hands went up. And mine wouldn't have either. Obviously, whites have no idea what it's like to be black. We don't need training videos to remind us that we're white.

But the audience, reportedly shocked at the realization that it doesn't open its eyes each day thinking about its whiteness, missed a more important point that underlines the film's dishonesty.

Although the seminar's moderator isn't identified, we can imagine her profile. She's a middle age professional with an advanced degree, most likely a Ph.D., from a respected university. And she's someone's daughter, wife, mother, sister, teacher and neighbor.

Yet the first thing she thinks of when she wakes up is, "I'm black"? I seriously doubt that. And if it's true then I feel sorry for her and suggest that she's not well centered; therefore, her opinions should be viewed in that context.

The "Mirrors of Privilege" exercise has nothing to do with education. In what way, I questioned as I watched a second time, is the guilt theme constructive to teachers who have to deal with complex issues, including race, every day?

I also wondered what the World Trust Education Services, the film's producer, would do with me given the chance. I am, after all, white and by its definition, privileged.

The best I could hope for is that it would dismiss me as an unenlightened old fool and move on to other, younger minds more vulnerable to its propaganda.

The worst, heaven forbid, is that it would subject me to some fiendish triple-intensity version of its diversity training reserved exclusively for the hardest cases.

Lost completely on the untrustworthy World Trust Education Services is that a true racist — someone who abhors people of different ethnic backgrounds than himself — could not work a day in California's K-12 public education system with its students who speak over 100 native languages. To suggest otherwise slaps teachers in the face.

In the end, whether its "White Privilege" or chocolate ice cream, no one likes to have things shoved down his throat.

Let's back off finger pointing and hysterical racism charges to put the emphasis where it should be, on restoring parental involvement in their child's education.

Joe Guzzardi is an instructor at the Lincoln Technical Academy. Mail can be sent to him at guzzjoe@yahoo.com.

Reader Feedback

Science8c wrote on Dec 17, 2007 4:37 PM:

" How many of you that complain about teachers have even spent ONE day in a public school classroom in the last 5 years? Not as students, but helpers or even just observers. In elementary school the kids, for the most part, are happy to be in school. Visit and observe a middle-school classroom. Then voice your opinions. Thank you! "

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Ben wrote on Dec 17, 2007 2:27 PM:

" To RH, I was trying to figure out why you are saying what you say. You have the belief system, of someone who thinks that organizations(esp Governmwnt, corporations etc) are the only route to success. The INDIVIDUAL is what makes America great, not the whining of an incompetent government employee. These people take more than they give. RE: students. The most important gift you can give a child is a caring parent not public ecuation. Public schools at the K-12 level praise and salute the lowest common denominator. "

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Lisa wrote on Dec 17, 2007 12:36 PM:

" To Chuck, you might have something there. It would be unfair to think that teachers have no other skills than teaching, but your generalization has a ring of truth to it. "

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Chuck wrote on Dec 16, 2007 10:11 PM:

" most "teachers" would do anything else, but do not possess the skills.. "

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TO to teach wrote on Dec 14, 2007 4:10 PM:

" You make it sound like teachers are not merely" government employees, but evangekists who would work for free. "

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To teach wrote on Dec 13, 2007 8:38 PM:

" Please keep on putting in the time with your students because I know I am confident they know you care. My concern, however, is that you may be the exception and not the rule. My experience as a fellow educator is that many teachers do not share OUR level of commitment ensure that ALL of our students succeed. Though I do not agree that this negligence makes my colleagues racists, I do believe it perpetuates racial inequality because most of the students that need our help the most are disadvantaged minority students. "

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lets all get real wrote on Dec 12, 2007 9:34 PM:

" The crutch here is this curriculum making LUSD stronger to teach our students? Is this just turning up the dirt that was not under the control of most of us in history? The important part is to reach every student in LUSD and all over, and close the door on racism! But, is the approach from LUSD the proper approach? "

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teach wrote on Dec 12, 2007 8:50 PM:

" Some children just do NOT see school as important, and I'm already spending 15 hours a day there. But I'm racist? Because I'm white? Because some kids fail? Those movies you mentioned? The teachers did not last more than a couple of years. Ask yourself why it is. Maybe, just maybe it is NOT the fault of the "racist teachers." "

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teach wrote on Dec 12, 2007 8:50 PM:

" RH...how do you propose I show that I care for my students? I have 30-40 of them crammed in my classroom and I only get to see them 50 minutes a day. I go to their extra-curricular activities. I am there for tutoring before school and after. Yet I still have children failing. "

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Scientific American wrote on Dec 12, 2007 7:48 PM:

" To eek: And you are a typical name-caller who generalizes rather than deals with the facts of the issue. "

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eek wrote on Dec 12, 2007 2:01 PM:

" I ask because Barak Obama is considered black, but he is Dick Cheney's cousin (based on a geneology test requested by Mrs. Cheney) Which means Dick Cheney shares more genes with Barak Obama than I do. Even though both Dick Cheney and I are white. Or is Dick Cheney also black? It's all so confusing. "

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eek wrote on Dec 12, 2007 1:59 PM:

" How is race defined? What percentage of one's genetic distribution and gene expression is required for one to be correctly categorized within any given race? In fact, what percentage of time must what percentage of our ancestors must have have lived in a specific region to establish race? Should culture be factored in as well? I think the Nazi's tried to pin this criteria down a while ago... "

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eek wrote on Dec 12, 2007 1:49 PM:

" Scientific American- your generalized, over-simplified, unreferenced, off-the-cuff comments only prove how unscientific you are. I recommend a new screen name. "

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teacher wrote on Dec 12, 2007 9:54 AM:

" The only thing this film did was make teachers more racist if they were already. The empahsis needs to be on the parents of students who are not encouraged to learn. "

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RH wrote on Dec 11, 2007 10:04 PM:

" When children stop falling through the cracks of education and society,(both tremendously important), then they might have a good probability for the jobs/careers they desire as young adults, whether their name is Aisha, Brad, Mohammad or Ling with the hope of similar pay & advancement as their counterparts. Unfortunately, not by chance, certain groups fall through the cracks at much higher and consistent rates than others throughout the US. (evident in the data numbers in education & workplace)not from rare and isolated incidents. Reality. Assuredly ALL are not considered guilty by far. Make a difference if you can. "

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Science8c wrote on Dec 11, 2007 1:43 PM:

" Just a bit of reality to those who run on about "caring enough" and so on. The fact is, nobody cares about your kid as much as you do ( or should). Teachers do the best they can with the ever increasing load they must handle. Schools are not home, and teachers are not parents of their students. Sometimes "tough love" is the best love. Do the work or fail. If you need help, I'll help, but you must do the work. "

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To RH wrote on Dec 11, 2007 1:24 PM:

" In my line of work, anyone of any category of human that you want to invent, is welcome to work for me, as long as they make me MORE money than they cost me. How is that for discrimination? "

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To RH wrote on Dec 11, 2007 1:23 PM:

" Most government jobs don't produce anything. These employees just take and not give. But in the private sector, I don't care if you are male, female or hemaphrodite, if you can make someone a profit, you are hired. I have one objective in my business, maximize profits and minimize costs. If the government requires me to hire "freeloaders" of any race or any gender how can that help me? These are make-work, feather-bedding, pretend jobs. "

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Scientific American wrote on Dec 11, 2007 9:42 AM:

" Isn't the human mind amazingly reductive? If the evidence does not fit a baseless theory, you simply ignore that evidence! "

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Lost Soul wrote on Dec 11, 2007 9:38 AM:

" What's happened to this country? Why does everyone strive to see how they can "outvictim" someone else? If we keep going down this distructive road, we'd better prepare for our new Chinese or Near-Eastern masters. "

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To Joe wrote on Dec 10, 2007 8:23 PM:

" Joe, I noticed that you said you were an instructor at the Lincoln Technical Academy. Is this school in the Lodi Unified School District because I did not see it listed as an elementary, middle, or high school? If it isn't one of those, do you have any experience teaching minor age children in a public school setting? I am wondering about these questions because you appear to represent your views as the views of your teaching peers in the district. However, I personally know many educators in the district that find your statements reprehensible and unrepresentative of their views. "

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RH wrote on Dec 10, 2007 8:04 PM:

" Yes! Stand and Deliver, Freedom Writers, Dangerous Minds, The Principal, Coach Carter, Mr. Holland’s Opus, the list goes on and on to show what caring teachers can do. Students know if they are cared about or not and that’s a magic key. They get the messages, spoken and not. If people and the community care about our children and their future they will show it if not, they won't. "

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RH wrote on Dec 10, 2007 8:02 PM:

" There is an institutionalized system in place to benefit men. Not to say that men wake up and say “I’m going to go get some male privileges today” but it’s there even if he isn’t sexist or created it. Never the less sexism, does exist. Women have to work harder or jump more hurdles than men for the same things and have to bargain for things that men get automatically. Same with white privilege. "

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This Sums It Up wrote on Dec 10, 2007 7:59 PM:

" To every person who has thought enough to comment on this article, I have but one question: Do you believe that teachers have a duty to CARE as much about the education of even their most difficult or lower performing student as they would their own student while they are in their class? If you do, that's fantastic! If not, then no matter what is said about the underperformance of certain groups, it will be possible for you to rationalize and be comfortable with it. "

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Good article Joe wrote on Dec 10, 2007 4:18 PM:

" This is my opinion, but I feel that movies like this actually stirs up and perpetuates racism. If one has a propensity for racist views, a movie like this can actually keep the pot stirring instead of causing a person to think differently. I look at people and, yes, I do see their color, but their color shouldn't define their character. My DIL is Mexican, and she is very bright and beautiful and talented, but far too many people are prejudiced towards her because of her color, thinking she is illegal. She's not. She's an American born and raised! "

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Ed Roy wrote on Dec 10, 2007 8:24 AM:

" Did anyone ask the producers and the moderator of this propaganda film, who freed the blacks? If all whites are racist, then no blacks or browns would be allowed any privilage in this country. Better yet ask the descendants of Africans who sold fellow Africans into slavery if they are white baters, Have them view the video as a form of repentance for the evil that their ancestors perpetrated against the whites for making slavery so easy and safe for whites to get involved with. Then every one would be guilt ridden and re-educated together. "

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Cogito wrote on Dec 9, 2007 11:27 PM:

" Why is it accepted that Asian students are the smartest, yet if you say whites are smarter than anyone, you're a bigot? Is the U.N. bigoted when they put out their "countries with the highest standard of living" reports? Because the countries at the top of the list tend to be almost completely white. Stop me when I'm lying! "

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Cogito wrote on Dec 9, 2007 11:19 PM:

" It's been my experience as a student that if someone does better than me in a classroom, they're usually smarter than me or work and study harder. I don't have a problem with that. I've never seen a teacher treat anyone differently due to their race(I attended Webster and Stagg).Teachers pets were usually the kids who worked hard in class, not the white kids. You can blame others, but you are responsible for yourself in the end. Take some responsibility and quit using race as an excuse. "

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Scientific American wrote on Dec 9, 2007 7:26 PM:

" Chinese came to this country from educated families? Yeah, I'm sure they all had Ph.D.s while working on the railroads! You apologists really crack me up! "

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Scientific American wrote on Dec 9, 2007 7:20 PM:

" Any proof of that or is this just more sociology BS? You theories still ignore Asian consistent superiority in academics(on average). "

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Montclair wrote on Dec 9, 2007 7:17 PM:

" To RH: If you're so smart, why don't you get your own column? The NYT should be perfect for your beliefs! "

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To Lets Be Real 9 wrote on Dec 9, 2007 6:00 PM:

" Academic Learning requires INDIVIDUAL DESIRE,and "GANAS". Now is NOT the time to blame more people. Save that for the faculty lounge. Mr. Jaime Escalante proved that he could teach students with minimal "academic success" HOW to learn AP calculus. He didn't waste time by blaming failure on "white privilege" or any other liberal buzzword. He said the bottom line was the Spanish word "GANAS" ie: "motivation sufficient to act". Lets stop the liberal "groupthink" and "class dialectic" of Marx and Engels and get back into the real world and help our children learn to think! "

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RH wrote on Dec 9, 2007 5:57 PM:

" Had to split my blog into 100 word sections, couldn't submit it as a one blog in its entirety. News Sentinel blog requirements. Long, but got to stand up for it. You’re entitled to your opinion, that I’m wrong. Don’t think I’m important at all, but rather that our children and their education are too important. Nothing should be a disservice to them. Hope no one thinks I’m wrong about that. "

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To Lets Be Real 8 wrote on Dec 9, 2007 5:56 PM:

" It is time for educators to realize that if WE (ALL ADULTS) are not successful teaching the curriculum its because WE aren't teaching children the details of "how to think". Children must learn their own reasons why they must invest the energy and time required to be successful at the difficult task of LEARNING THE CURRICULUM. "

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To Lets Be Real 7 wrote on Dec 9, 2007 5:55 PM:

" Why is that? I can think of many reasons, but ohe of them may be that many teachers never formally studied this in school. There are a few advanced courses in some top school districts that teach an elective on rational thought. Children in the primary grades must FIRST be taught how to think rationally. It is not time to blame parents, race, culture, racism, "society", and any other "politically correct" "excuse" of the day. "

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To Lets Be Real 6 wrote on Dec 9, 2007 5:54 PM:

" If children do well by "parroting" or memorizing "answers", we (as adults) are NOT successful even though test results "prove" we are. What we need to do is to teach children their own style of THINKING. Its ironic, with the literally THOUSANDS of state mandated CDE "grade level" academic standards, there is NO STANDARD to teach children how to think. Rational thought is NOT IN THE Standards. "

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To Lets Be Real 5 wrote on Dec 9, 2007 5:53 PM:

" Many of the modern teaching methodologies are centered not on HOW children learn - they are already learning WITHOUT us - but on how to "trick" or use gimmicks to "teach" children the curriculum. I repeat, unless there are other medical issues, children are ALWAY learning. But what is it that they learn? If a teacher does NOT teach children "how to think" using rational thought they are not teaching children to be self confident. "

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To Lets Be Real 4 wrote on Dec 9, 2007 5:52 PM:

" The simple and objective answer is that EACH student is responsible for their own learning! It is the same reason for adult success. Its called accountability and responsibility. Many teachers and educators think that they can "trick" children into learning the curriculum. Because they can "trick" these students into learning the defined subject matter, that does not mean that is THE WAY to teach. "

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To Lets Be Real 3 wrote on Dec 9, 2007 5:52 PM:

" I have NEVER blamed "culture", "race", parents family or "white privilege" for these results. Many liberals like to generalize and talk about "class struggle and conflict", "ethnic and racial discrimination" and SOCIAL reasons for perceived failure to reach curriulum goals. Liberals (most public school teachers and administrators) ALWAYS have to "blame someone" even if it is other teachers. "

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To Lets Be Real 2 wrote on Dec 9, 2007 5:51 PM:

" Learning in a formal classroom environment is designed to encourage FOCUS and goal-oriented behavior. Teachers have know that when you have defined and measured goals it is easier to quantify teaching results. It is as simple as that. There are brilliant children who are NOT literate, they can't read write or manipulate numbers. They are not "stupid" or "slow". "

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To Lets Be Real wrote on Dec 9, 2007 5:51 PM:

" Your first sentence is bait. Who ever said that the "the reason many students do not learn because they do not want to"? You know and I know that children are learning EVERY MINUTE they are not sleeping! That is what children do-- THEY LEARN. That is one reason we emphasize formal education in children. The issue is not "Children are not learning", the issue is "WHAT are they learning?". "

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to RH 1-8 wrote on Dec 9, 2007 2:22 PM:

" Pretty arrogant of yourself to think youre so important we want to hear from you that many times,,,,especially since you are wrong! "

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Re: Asians wrote on Dec 9, 2007 11:40 AM:

" Fortunately, some roots of Asian immigration in the US began with high educated people with capital. So they have been able to reinforce that education they came with with knowledge and resources and been able to network it with their less educated kin in the waves of immigration. "

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Listen, wrote on Dec 9, 2007 11:21 AM:

" Part of being a teacher is to motivate students to learn, not to let many fall through the cracks, that must be why NCLB (No child left behind) was created, in it's strict and ugly was it cares. If something isn't working, we need to find something that does, even if it means asking for help, in the end both teaching and learning will be more enjoyable. "

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Science8c wrote on Dec 9, 2007 9:33 AM:

" Students can only learn if they want to. Teachers cannot unscrew the tops of their heads and pour in the information they need. Learning is active, not passive. If students don't pay attention in class, don't study at home and don't do any work, they will fail. I had 150 students to attend to. Most parents have one or two. Who has more time to be concerned about a particular student? Who sets the rules at home? "

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To Scientific American wrote on Dec 9, 2007 12:27 AM:

" It is not that a White or Asian student's brain is "better" than a Black or Hispanic student's brain. The difference is that society EXPECTS that certain ethnic groups want to learn and will learn AND certain ethnic groups do not want to learn and will not learn. This is unfortunate. Hispanic and Black students will never achieve their full potential until our teachers CARE about their education as much as they care about that of their own children. "

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RH wrote on Dec 9, 2007 12:09 AM:

" , hidden anti minority columns and print more articles of value, your ratings and memberships will go up, give it a good try Lodi News Sentinel. Yes freedom of speech but sometimes it seems more of a blog newspaper than a newspaper of integrity to inform us and educate us on the news as it otherwise could. "

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RH(8) wrote on Dec 9, 2007 12:08 AM:

" I hope that Mr. Guzzardi will someday take all that energy from bitterness/defensiveness and instead for something for human well being and betterment. No one will take your job. How about universal insurance, watch Michael Moore’s Sicko and stop insurance from being for profit at the expense of our financial security and most of all our lives. Here we go. . . ., I can feel it. I also hope this newspaper becomes a better quality newspaper and stops printing and feeding so many of these backwards progress, hidde "

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RH (7) wrote on Dec 9, 2007 12:08 AM:

" Just the other day someone I work with said a Lodi teacher told her son Christmas was not for everyone only for Americans. A student confided to a staff member that she asked for guidance for college at Lodi High but counselor told her not worry about it because most likely she wouldn’t go. At trainings teachers complain over and over again how they hate teaching students English Learners. This happens often in Lodi. See what you want to see, deny what you will. But we really don’t want to be like this do we? "

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To Diversity Sucks! wrote on Dec 9, 2007 12:05 AM:

" Funny. I have never heard that the reason for the achievement gap was because African American and Hispanic students didn't do their homework. If life is about accountability, as you state, should we not make teachers accountable for teaching? Last time I checked, teaching involves a transference of knowledge from a teacher to a student. So, if you believe that life is about accountability, then you must support the idea that teachers should be accountable for successfully transferring their academic knowledge to ALL their students, regardless of the student's starting point. I am so glad we agree! "

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RH(6) wrote on Dec 9, 2007 12:00 AM:

" You know over and over, many stories of teachers that inspire and changed lives, literally. Children are especially motivated when they know they are genuinely cared about and through sincere student-teacher rapport and connections. Continue to be heroes of the future; if anything they will be in the future with your children, grand and great grandchildren but most of all, first and foremost, they are human beings. After self-assessing and you feel comfortable and confident that you are the best teacher you can be, then congratulations and without end, the biggest thank you. "

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RH(5) wrote on Dec 8, 2007 11:59 PM:

" more honorable now than ever in a more complex and often unkind society. God knows you are very underpaid for the value of what you do. What children come with or what they been through before they come to you in the morning, we don’t know. Usually administration has that confidential information. Don’t throw them away or give up on their potential and future, too many already do so they do too. They are the ones that need you the most.Education is their best or only chance. Let them have the opportunities of America. "

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RH (4) wrote on Dec 8, 2007 11:59 PM:

" If there is a problem with racism that needs to address it's because there's a problem. What could be more important than a child’s education? All factors have to be dealt with as ugly, upsetting or uncomfortable, as they may be. Teachers, don't be discouraged or take sides. Remember why you became teachers, to make a difference. Be aware who your children are, all colors and parts of them, take note of your attitudes and the stigmas you assign to kids. Don’t label them as another “English learner” “thug” “bad” student. Your job is even "

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RH(3) wrote on Dec 8, 2007 11:57 PM:

" Of course parent involvement is such a benefit and a very important factor in the educational success of students but for students who do not have that necessary benefits should not be punished. And guess what ethnicities these students without these benefits and privileges are? A system of privilege is set up for whites, fact. Would you say that minorities have lower test scores because a defective/flaw in that race or minority to succeed? "

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RH (2) wrote on Dec 8, 2007 11:56 PM:

" didn’t seem to care for him or because he didn’t understand the warning signs in English, or because he wasn’t mature enough to not be careless or etc? All parents care about their children weather they as parents have resources to give their children or not, weather they have connections, networks with people of power and influence, have higher education, have good jobs, good homes, parenting skills, open doors, privileges of the middle class vs poor, or additionally their own parents (grandparents) resources, or Not. "

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RH (1) wrote on Dec 8, 2007 11:55 PM:

" There is racism in Lodi, about .5% black population is a good indication, what would Lodi teachers know about teaching black students? Would one not think that this racism does not transfer into other parts of the city such as in schools? Important, children are not horses, they are human beings in development and they do not come equipped knowing “how to drink” succeed. If a child is looking like he’s going to fall and get hurt, would you not intervene because his parents "

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To Just Wondering wrote on Dec 8, 2007 10:12 PM:

" Why are there some Hispanic and African American students who outperform their white counterparts? In my AP class white students are the minority. An Asian student is number one, a hispanic student is number 2. In fact, the first white student comes in at number 4. But hey, I guess I can't teach them because I'm white and they aren't. Might as well quit now. (Yes, I'm rolling my eyes.) "

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Diversity Sucks! UNITY is the answer! wrote on Dec 8, 2007 1:04 PM:

" To: 'Let's be Real' You get real! Life is about accountability. Teachers teach. If a student chooses not to study, learn English, do their homeword, listen to discipline etc. the fault lies with the student and his parents, not the teacher or school. You condoning this 'white priviledge' crap shows where the true racism comes from. "

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Scientific American wrote on Dec 8, 2007 12:52 PM:

" Why do Chinese and Japanese Americans, on average,consistently outperform their white counterparts? "

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Scientific American wrote on Dec 8, 2007 12:48 PM:

" To Just Wondering: You assume that all groups, on average, are the same intellectually, While that is the PC version of things, any proof to support that conclusion? "

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Just Wondering wrote on Dec 8, 2007 10:38 AM:

" Joe, Instead of putting all your efforts and energy into explaining why the district is wrong for trying to get people to be more accepting of diversity, why not try explaining why even middle class Hispanics and African American students are consistently outperformed by their White counterparts? "

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Let's Be Real wrote on Dec 8, 2007 10:33 AM:

" How is it that there are so many "experts" who hide behind the notion that the reason many students do not learn is because they do not want to? What evidence is this based on? If it is being based on the fact that not all students come to school with the same level of preparation, this is erroneous. A student can't control their familial, economic, or social status. It is a shame if somehow their teachers judge them as not wanting to learn because their students' reflect their background. "

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Vito wrote on Dec 8, 2007 9:34 AM:

" Lodi Unified superintendents are just "yes" men. But I didn't know until this very day that it was Marxism all along! "

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Guardian wrote on Dec 8, 2007 8:29 AM:

" It is obvious, from researching this "White Privilege" DVD, that the whole propaganda stems from Peggy McIntosh, who is one of the "interviewees in the DVD, and her whiteness studies propaganda called SEED or Seeking Educational and Equitable Diversity. The idea of White Privilege is based on some Marxist professors' idea on why U.S. workers did not have a Marxist Revolution in the early 1900's. Yes, they blamed "racism". Odie Douglas is a facilitator for SEED. "

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teacher wrote on Dec 8, 2007 7:25 AM:

" This is just one example of the wasted time of staff development from the high paid leaders of LUSD. Time could have been better spent developing lessons to reach the kids that the district thinks we are ignoring. Please quit wasting my precious time. "

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wtf wrote on Dec 8, 2007 7:22 AM:

" Great editorial, Joe. It's time the educational system got back to the three R's: reading, (w)riting, & (a)rithmetic) and stop with all the "socializing" read "brainwashing" of children. I've found that teachers worth their salt eagerly teach children who truly desire to learn, a rarity these days, & that when these children come along, regardless of what their skin color is, teachers are overjoyed & make every effort to assist these kids. "

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teacher wrote on Dec 8, 2007 7:22 AM:

" Yes, Joe after reviewing the article(white privilege) and the statement from the LUSD adm. that teachers should not feel bad, but be honest that they are not reaching a certain group of students, and change what they do to engage students, it is parent involvement and student choice to be reached. Can lead a horse to water, but can't make it drink. "

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Bravo! wrote on Dec 8, 2007 7:22 AM:

" Well said and completely true. "

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