Introduction
The abolition of slavery in the United States opened a new period in the history of the United States. The long way to the liberation of racial inequality started with several amendments and civil rights acts. Segregation was still legal, but Afro-Americans had citizenship and the right to vote. Separated public schools are meant to provide equal conditions of education for students of all origins and nations. For a long time, education was prohibited for Afro-Americans. Teachers that taught Afro-Americans illegally were imprisoned. Some saw separated schools as the only sound solution for the racial discrimination among students, but others treated them as one more step in the development of racial hostility. Afro-Americans had no right to share transport, dwellings, recreation areas, churches, and cemeteries with others (Cole, 2011).
Main body
These times are over, but some issues are peculiar to the contemporary process of education. In the case study “Terms of Endearment” Anthony was acting absolutely tactlessly with his friend. There is no respectful or even more or less appropriate reason for using such kinds of words in communication to people of different origins. His explanation seems strange and not serious. The historical background of this issue doesn’t allow acting like this; people should never repeat the mistakes of the past. Undoubtedly there are different manners of communication specific to this or that company, but such “terms of endearment” are inadmissible and impossible. Under any circumstances, the n-word is rude and impolite. It is not appropriate for someone to use it or any similar word at school. The problem of racial discrimination is still of current importance for many countries. Such situations return the country in its development for a few steps back. Democracy and equality are the primary principles of education. Anthony’s words violate the democratic and ethical norms. His confident behavior proved that boy did not feel uneasy; he reacted to the teacher’s reprimand rather disrespectfully. It means that boy did not understand how serious this problem was. Ms. Lawson’s reaction to this incident was also inappropriate. She made Reggie feel uncomfortable. The teacher even increased the tension in the classroom, paying students’ attention to this situation. It had to be a private talk between the teacher and Anthony. Also, the teacher’s chastising of Keisha was incorrect. Ms. Lawson had to explain to the girl tactfully that she was too emotional. Her reaction and attitude to this situation were predictable. She is Afro-American also, so the n-word was treated by her as a personal insult. Probably, the teacher had to initiate the lesson devoted to the topic of racial discrimination and to think over all the stages of the discussion, to organize it in a polite and friendly manner. Strict punishments or some emotional reprimands are not the best solutions for the issues. The teacher should be respectful to the students of all nations to create a sincere and warm atmosphere in the classroom.
The changing demographics of education demand some reforms in the whole educational system. Schools have to be prepared for the teaching of students of other origins, races, and religions. In recent years, the demographics of education are becoming more and more diverse. Thus, bilingual teachers are needed. The educational programs should be adapted to the needs of immigrants and people, whose first language is not English. Teachers should be ready to be politically correct and tolerant to all the students in the classroom, to respect the dignity of everyone. Every member of the educational process should feel comfortable. And the primary task of the state is to create all the necessary conditions according to the changing demographics in education. The teacher’s task is to prepare children for the multicultural learning process, to implement the idea of universal equality and mutual respect. The USA is a melting pot, so people should be ready to accept each other with all the cultural and ethnic differences (Leonardo & Grubb, 2013).
In the case study “Terms of Endearment” the teacher was not ready to handle the problem of racially intensive name-calling. She was too emotional and the situation became uncontrolled. Anthony did not understand why he was acting wrong. He decided that this manner was rather comfortable for friendly communication. Perhaps, boy did not know why the n-word was so offensive. The teacher’s reaction was absolutely ineffective. It made all the members of the incident just feel embarrassed, but not realize the seriousness of the issue. Ms. Lawson made Reggie feel the worst way. She paid attention to everyone in the classroom to the incident. Boy was very confused with her words. He did not expect the whole class to become the witnesses of this unpleasant situation. Surely, the attitude of the classmates to this scene might differ. So, some students might condemn Anthony’s behavior, some might think that Reggie has complained to the teacher and disrespected him for this doing. Ms. Lawson’s response called attention to the usage of the n-word, but she did not explain to students why its usage was so indelicate and tactless. The teacher was to talk to Reggie in private to avoid the boy’s sensation of unease. It is difficult to cultivate respect for each other in students doing disrespectfully to them. Teachers should be extremely careful with children’s feelings.
It is of primary significance to draw attention to racial discrimination issues in the multicultural class, but the teacher should be extremely accurate and tactful in word choice and the manner of the conversation. All the students must beware of the aspects of this problem. Teachers should represent this topic in such light, that every pupil could perceive it in the right way. The opinion on this problem must have a single meaning. It is not the point for arguments. Disrespectful attitude to people, that differ, is unacceptable to all the progressive humanity (Troyna & Carrington, 2011).
It is always mistakenly for the teacher to make some delicate discussions publicly; it is even dangerous and may cause an unexpected result. Teachers should feel confident in embarrassing situations because uncertainty, irritability, or confusion may be shared by students. There are several steps in overcoming racial discrimination at school. The teacher’s task is to guide students in this overcoming. Schoolmaster should deepen the study of cultural variety, interest students in the contribution of every different nation to the world of music, art cinema, etc. It would be very useful to make some ethnic festivals, to tell about the history of their celebration. It is of vital importance to convey the idea that differences may unite people, but not separate them. Naturally, children are fond of discoveries thus the penetration to the cultural peculiarities of other nations may become some kind of exploration for them (Grant & Sleeter, 2011). However, children must beware not only of the customs and traditions of the representatives of other nations, but they must learn about the challenges of everyday life of other people. Sympathy and understanding of the problems of other people are significant for the development of mutual respect between all the members of the educational process. Showing the differences teacher should underline the similarities, find some common features in the lifestyle, habits, and attitudes. Children shouldn’t feel uneasy asking their classmates about their native countries their traditional food, dresses, recreation. Foreign children should feel their sincere interest. It will help them to feel more comfortable and build relationships in class. The teacher should not avoid the discussion of racism in multicultural classes, the student must learn not only positive aspects of racial differences, but they must know the challenges of multicultural relations. It will help them to solve the problems of racial inequality. Certainly, knowing about the existence of these issues, children should know about the measures of overcoming the stigma and discrimination. There is a multitude of organizations, struggling for the equality of rights; millions of activists promote tolerance all over the world. Probably, children will be inspired by the activity of such movements.
Conclusion
The introduced case study “Terms of Endearment” demonstrated the unpreparedness of teachers to the solution of challenging situations in the classroom. Their primary task is to guide the children to the understanding of the nature of racial issues and the ways to avoid them. Unfortunately, racial discrimination is of current importance for modern society, and its overcoming is our overall responsibility.
Reference List
Cole, M. (2011). Racism and education in the U.K. and the U.S.. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Grant, C., & Sleeter, C. (2011). Doing multicultural education for achievement and equity. New York: Routledge.
Leonardo, Z., & Grubb, W. (2013). Racism and Education. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.
Troyna, B., & Carrington, B. (2011). Education, racism and reform. London: Routledge.