Black Student Insights
The Black student voices forum was a wide-ranging conversation that explored deep wounds based on overt racism, as well as the systemic ignorance of the black experience in America due to outdated and inaccurate curriculum.
One unique perspective the black student voices brought to the forums was the idea of the role schools play in fostering a shared sense of humanity between students, their teachers, and their peers.
Monique Luke
Forum Moderator & Vice Principal, Montgomery High School
“It’s important to stress the importance of educators making or helping more diverse kids feel more comfortable in their classroom environment. I believe in a sense they kind of bypass certain racial things that happen in the classroom because they’re uncomfortable with it. I believe that they should be teaching humanity to little kids instead of just teaching kids about slavery. Teach us about humanity. Teach us why it’s bad. Teach us why you guys shouldn’t treat this kid differently because of the color of his skin. Teach us this at young ages.”
That humanity doesn’t just include racial differences — it includes the teacher-student hierarchy. A dialogue between students and teachers is restorative, allowing the learning environment to become a back and forth, not just a one-way transmission.
“Our issues get swept underneath the rug. I feel like teachers with all kids should treat us students as if we’re humans, we should all have human connections. Don’t treat us as if there’s a difference between a student and a teacher, because at the end of the day we’re all still human beings. You can relate to me by showing me that you’re human showing me that you care, having actual conversation, making eye contact with me, calling me by my first name, calling me by my last name. It’s just the little small things, that people can do to just make their students feel more comfortable.”
Insights &
Takeaways
Cultural competency is critical
Focus on empathy
Increase representation