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MrsSchwags
Soccer Baseball Lax Mom
Member since 10/05 11240 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Reverse Prejuidice in the school system?
Ok..first off I want to discuss something here that I have noticed and I do not want to get flamed for feeling a certain way or noticing things. Please respond only if you want to be insightful/helpful/etc...not to make me feel like crap for saying things.
Anyway..
Yesterday I went to the DOE job fair. For those who haven't been to one the schools are arranged by grade level and then there is a sign saying what they are hiring for and the location (region/district).
So the first table I go to is for a MS in brooklyn needing 2 math teachers. I go over to the table and there are two african-american women behind the table (interviewers). I was the only one there and polietely waited for them to acknowledge me.
After about 7 miinutes they looked at me and I went over and introduced myself. They said nothing. I sat there and they continued to ignore more.
So I finally said, "Um, I am certified in Math and would like to learn more about your school."
They looked at each other again and the one rolled her eyes. (Honestly). They told me very little (small school, tough neighborhood). Emphasis on the "tough".
They stopped talking and said nothing so I started to talk about my background and qualifications.
As I was talking they weren't even looking at me and they were totally uninterested in anything I had to say and didn't interact with me at all.
They didn't ask any questions. After I was done I thanked them for their time and they didn't say anything.
I really am quite shocked and honestly feel that because I am white they had no interest in me. Even a few other tables I stopped to talk at that had only african-american women interviewing I felt as if they thought I "couldn't handle" working in their neighborhood and that there was some prejuidice.
Now the few tables I did have success at were tables where there was a white and black interviewer.
Is there a common reverse prejuidice among blacks teachers/admins and white teachers? Most of the city schools have large minority population and I know that, so obviously I wouldn't be interviewiing if I didn't think I could "handle" it, so why this coldness???
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Posted 5/22/07 6:34 PM  |
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Karen
Just chillin'!!
Member since 1/06 9690 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Reverse Prejuidice in the school system?
I don't know if it's common, but I have actually experienced that on LI, too!! I interviewed with a district that is largely minority and the woman interviewing me wasn't sure I could "handle it". They offered me a summer school spot as kind of an audition. Luckily I got a full-time position so it became a non-issue.
I do think the women were way out of line with their treatment of you. It was totally unnecessary. Even if they thought (right or wrong) that a Caucasian female couldn't handle the job, there are much better ways to go about it.
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| Posted 5/22/07 6:48 PM |
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MegZee
My bunny
Member since 5/06 8777 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: Reverse Prejuidice in the school system?
I defenitely agree that it goes on.
eta: and not only is it a black/white thing, I think on LI, especially in certain districts, it also has to do with religion, and if I get flamed for this so be it, but it has to do with jewish and non-jewish
Message edited 5/22/2007 8:04:01 PM.
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| Posted 5/22/07 8:02 PM |
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MrsSchwags
Soccer Baseball Lax Mom
Member since 10/05 11240 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Reverse Prejuidice in the school system?
Posted by Meaghan729
I defenitely agree that it goes on.
eta: and not only is it a black/white thing, I think on LI, especially in certain districts, it also has to do with religion, and if I get flamed for this so be it, but it has to do with jewish and non-jewish
I believe I saw this on the news about a community in nassau. I can't remember the exact town but I think it was in the Lawrence/Malverne area.
I just can't believe how they treated me.
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| Posted 5/22/07 8:09 PM |
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cjb88
Little Brother
Member since 5/05 3540 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Reverse Prejuidice in the school system?
Posted by Meaghan729
I defenitely agree that it goes on.
eta: and not only is it a black/white thing, I think on LI, especially in certain districts, it also has to do with religion, and if I get flamed for this so be it, but it has to do with jewish and non-jewish
Forgive my ignorance but how can people tell what religion you are just by looking at you???
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| Posted 5/22/07 8:10 PM |
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MegZee
My bunny
Member since 5/06 8777 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: Reverse Prejuidice in the school system?
Posted by cjb88
Posted by Meaghan729
I defenitely agree that it goes on.
eta: and not only is it a black/white thing, I think on LI, especially in certain districts, it also has to do with religion, and if I get flamed for this so be it, but it has to do with jewish and non-jewish
Forgive my ignorance but how can people tell what religion you are just by looking at you???
you can tell by someones name. im not saying everyone, but what FH has seen from his graduate school classmates, who has gotten jobs at certain districts, etc, alot of his jewish classmates end up in predominantly jewish areas.
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| Posted 5/22/07 8:12 PM |
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Tabitha
Member since 2/07 2029 total posts
Name:
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Re: Reverse Prejuidice in the school system?
Posted by Meaghan729
Posted by cjb88
Posted by Meaghan729
I defenitely agree that it goes on.
eta: and not only is it a black/white thing, I think on LI, especially in certain districts, it also has to do with religion, and if I get flamed for this so be it, but it has to do with jewish and non-jewish
Forgive my ignorance but how can people tell what religion you are just by looking at you???
you can tell by someones name. im not saying everyone, but what FH has seen from his graduate school classmates, who has gotten jobs at certain districts, etc, alot of his jewish classmates end up in predominantly jewish areas.
i have seen the same thing...
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| Posted 5/22/07 9:17 PM |
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cjb88
Little Brother
Member since 5/05 3540 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Reverse Prejuidice in the school system?
Posted by Meaghan729
Posted by cjb88
Posted by Meaghan729
I defenitely agree that it goes on.
eta: and not only is it a black/white thing, I think on LI, especially in certain districts, it also has to do with religion, and if I get flamed for this so be it, but it has to do with jewish and non-jewish
Forgive my ignorance but how can people tell what religion you are just by looking at you???
you can tell by someones name. im not saying everyone, but what FH has seen from his graduate school classmates, who has gotten jobs at certain districts, etc, alot of his jewish classmates end up in predominantly jewish areas.
That can be such a false assumption though... for example, my mom is jewish my dad was catholic... technically i am jewish, however I had a "non-jewish" last name. We grew up celebrating both, but that is besides the point. I got married to someone who has a more jewish sounding last name, however he and his family are catholic. So someone can see my last and assume I am jewish I guess, but they could be making a completely wrong assumption. It is funny that my married name sounds more jewish then my maiden name (which actually was a part of a jewish family)...i hope that makes sense...
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| Posted 5/22/07 9:32 PM |
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MegZee
My bunny
Member since 5/06 8777 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: Reverse Prejuidice in the school system?
Posted by cjb88
Posted by Meaghan729
Posted by cjb88
Posted by Meaghan729
I defenitely agree that it goes on.
eta: and not only is it a black/white thing, I think on LI, especially in certain districts, it also has to do with religion, and if I get flamed for this so be it, but it has to do with jewish and non-jewish
Forgive my ignorance but how can people tell what religion you are just by looking at you???
you can tell by someones name. im not saying everyone, but what FH has seen from his graduate school classmates, who has gotten jobs at certain districts, etc, alot of his jewish classmates end up in predominantly jewish areas.
That can be such a false assumption though... for example, my mom is jewish my dad was catholic... technically i am jewish, however I had a "non-jewish" last name. We grew up celebrating both, but that is besides the point. I got married to someone who has a more jewish sounding last name, however he and his family are catholic. So someone can see my last and assume I am jewish I guess, but they could be making a completely wrong assumption. It is funny that my married name sounds more jewish then my maiden name (which actually was a part of a jewish family)...i hope that makes sense...
it does make sense, and it can be a false assumption, just in my viewing, i am fining it that our jewish friends are finding jobs in predominantly jewish public schools much easier than my non jewish friends- thats all.
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:24 PM |
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JustJack
:)
Member since 2/06 2041 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Reverse Prejuidice in the school system?
This happened to me too at the DOE. The interviewer was black and was very rude to me. She even said "All you Long Island girls".....so there was definatly some prejiduce going on.
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:26 PM |
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MegZee
My bunny
Member since 5/06 8777 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: Reverse Prejuidice in the school system?
and unforntuately its not just the school system - it happens everywhere. why cant they just pick the best PERSON for the job
Message edited 5/22/2007 10:34:09 PM.
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:33 PM |
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Jacksmommy
My love muffin!
Member since 1/07 5819 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: Reverse Prejuidice in the school system?
I think it also depends on how you present yourself. When I went to a job fair for the city I was offered a job at 3 predominately minority schools the same fair. I assured them that I knew a lot about behavior management and explained to them what I would do to gain authority. I didn't feel any discrimination personally!
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| Posted 5/23/07 5:35 AM |
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MrsSchwags
Soccer Baseball Lax Mom
Member since 10/05 11240 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Reverse Prejuidice in the school system?
Posted by ejm1219
I think it also depends on how you present yourself. When I went to a job fair for the city I was offered a job at 3 predominately minority schools the same fair. I assured them that I knew a lot about behavior management and explained to them what I would do to gain authority. I didn't feel any discrimination personally!
I don't think it is how you present yourself, because I am very professional and well-spoken. There was no excuse for the treatment I received.
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| Posted 5/23/07 7:04 PM |
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Re: Reverse Prejuidice in the school system?
You were treated very unprofessionally, and there was no excuse for it. But I really think that based on how you were treated that you would not want to work in that school anyway. I bet their building is really out of control, the teachers are miserable and the scores are terrible. If they only care about a person's color, they won't get good people.
I say this because I have definitely experienced what you went through. At my first school there were several staffers who had a big "us/them" mentality. They were so blatent to even say that they only wanted African- American teachers. I know I was the subject of a lot of scorn from them, as were some of the other young white teachers.
Luckily I had a couple colleagues who took me under their wing (ironically, African American also) and that helped a lot. What I've noticed is that this kind of crap comes from women more than men.
It was disheartening, and there was SOOOO much chaos at that school, because these women tried so hard to be divisive. I went to a different school in that same community a couple years later and it was so much better- everyone got along and worked towards the same goal.
I'd also bet that those women you met today would come to treat any young teacher of any color like crap. They probably sit on their butts all day and resent anyone who comes in and works hard. I have seen several people like that in the school system.
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| Posted 5/23/07 7:34 PM |
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