Teachers, T-Shirts & The Messages That They Send

Particularly in light of what’s happened in Ferguson recently, and in light of the death of Eric Garner, who was killed by a New York City police officer using an illegal choke hold, it just boggles my mind that a number of New York City teachers chose to wear NYPD T-Shirts to begin the school year.

Did they even stop to consider the message that this action might send to students?

Do they not know that the school population is now comprised of a majority students of color?

Do they not know that relationships are key to student learning, that trust is key to developing relationships, and that first impressions are critical?

Here are some articles about what happened in New York City this week, followed by a couple of must-read tweets by Melinda Anderson:

NYC’s Teacher, Police Unions Battle After Teachers Warned Against Wearing NYPD T-Shirts is from Channel Four in New York.

Teachers wear NYPD shirts to school despite union warnings http://t.co/lnkVYdd05n via @nypost

— Larry Ferlazzo (@Larryferlazzo) September 6, 2014

Worn by white Ts in schools populated by Black/Brown kids is exactly the kind of behavior that makes parents of color hungry for "options".

— Melinda D. Anderson (@mdawriter) September 6, 2014

There's growing, almost uncontainable, dissatisfaction in communities of color re pub schls. Ed reformers capitalize on this. NYPD shirts…

— Melinda D. Anderson (@mdawriter) September 6, 2014

This is crux of the disconnect. They don't see themselves as "racists" ~ probably "colorblind" Ts. Colorblindness fuels racism. @sophgermain

— Melinda D. Anderson (@mdawriter) September 6, 2014

Also, check out An Open Letter To The White Teachers Who Wore NYPD T-Shirts To School, Despite Being Told Not To and Not All My Teacherfolk Are My Kinfolk (written by Jose Vilson).

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