You want to see what racism looks like and how it shapes public policy?
This a response to a NPR story about Black students being physically injured and hospitalized at many times the rate of White students.
But, also a response common to my Republican colleagues in #txlege.
This a response to a NPR story about Black students being physically injured and hospitalized at many times the rate of White students.
But, also a response common to my Republican colleagues in #txlege.
Look at the broad assumptions and stereotypes that all Black students come from broken families, have no respect, etc.
Then, consider that, this person thinks that a Black child being hospitalized for these things (even if true) is somehow an acceptable consequence.
Then, consider that, this person thinks that a Black child being hospitalized for these things (even if true) is somehow an acceptable consequence.
The gaslighting at the end is superb.
Despite national data that shows that there is a substantial racial disparity in treatment, you're just playing the victim if you talk about it.
Read: "it's all in your head, and it won't stop until you accept it and let it happen."
Despite national data that shows that there is a substantial racial disparity in treatment, you're just playing the victim if you talk about it.
Read: "it's all in your head, and it won't stop until you accept it and let it happen."
The full irony of which is that this what the article discusses is the very attitude that leads to Black kids being injured and disciplined harshly at a much higher rate.
The perception and stereotype that Black kids seem older, more aggressive, and more disrespectful.
The perception and stereotype that Black kids seem older, more aggressive, and more disrespectful.
Unfortunately, it's not just Twitter idiots.
I've had plenty of members of the Lege make the same comments to me privately and during public debates.
The harm in it is that this type of casual racism stops efforts to reform the system.
I've had plenty of members of the Lege make the same comments to me privately and during public debates.
The harm in it is that this type of casual racism stops efforts to reform the system.
They never say it out loud, but these are the implications:
"Why would you fix it racism if it doesn't exist?"
"Why fix it when Black people won't fix their families?"
"The system is not the problem, Black kids are just inherently troublemakers."
"Why would you fix it racism if it doesn't exist?"
"Why fix it when Black people won't fix their families?"
"The system is not the problem, Black kids are just inherently troublemakers."
Again, this is what I do for a living. I represent kids in court.
I have represented Asian kids, Hispanic kids, Black kids, and White kids.
The only commonality they had was that teenagers are dumb as hell.
I have represented Asian kids, Hispanic kids, Black kids, and White kids.
The only commonality they had was that teenagers are dumb as hell.
I've had plenty of single parents kick a kid's ass into orbit for getting in trouble.
And, I've had plenty of two parent families not give a crap about what their kid does.
And, I've had plenty of two parent families not give a crap about what their kid does.
The point is this:
You can't just fight for reform.
You have to push back on casual racism too. Because these ideas and attitudes will block any meaningful reforms.
Everyday. Move the needle just a little bit.
We'll get there together.
You can't just fight for reform.
You have to push back on casual racism too. Because these ideas and attitudes will block any meaningful reforms.
Everyday. Move the needle just a little bit.
We'll get there together.
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