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I attended a predominantly-Black middle school in Killeen, Texas. From 6th to 8th grade, I went to school with a student body in which white kids were a small fraction. And I did witness discrimination... against students of color. (thread)
I attended a predominantly-Black middle school in Killeen, Texas. From 6th to 8th grade, I went to school with a student body in which white kids were a small fraction. And I did witness discrimination... against students of color. (thread)
Many, if not most, of my teachers and principals were Black. Most of the students were either Black or Latinx. There were some AAPI and Native American students. White students made up about a quarter of the student body. You, Stefan, think I'd be disadvantaged. You'd be wrong.
Because looking back, even as an impoverished white kid, everything I did was given the benefit of the doubt. Late to class? Late assignments? The occasional (though tame) misbehaving? All readily forgiven. I can't say the same for my peers of color, who were under a microscope.
Though not very remarkable, I was immediately invited to test for the "Gifted and Talented" program. And I did well! I started taking classes with other GT students, most of whom were white. In my year group, we had two Black students. That's it.
I definitely did not have the best grades. I definitely was not the smartest or most active student. But I was a white kid, then presenting as male, and because of that, even Black teachers and principals gave me opportunities not given to students of color. For real. No joke.
Ah, but what about the other students, you ask? Was I harassed by my peers of color for being white? Nope. There were bullies who messed with everyone, but I was never targeted for being white. If anything, it actually helped. It set me apart in the crowd. It was an advantage.
From leading in student activities to being recognized by adults in the school to being given WAY more grace to make mistakes, being white was noticeably better than not being white. I say this in retrospect because it wasn't immediately obvious. That's white privilege.
I went out for middle school football. I sang in the choir. I ran for student government. And I did well in all three, but I wasn't the best. Not even close. And yet, who do you think got more praise from peers and teachers, me or the peers of color my age? Always me.
Because here's the tragic truth, @StefanMolyneux: even in spaces where white folks are a minority, we still enjoy unearned advantages. We benefit from the societal framing that filters its way down even into predominantly-Black public schools. /thread
