Appendix B: Racial
Reasoning
What is students'
prior knowledge about race that might be linked to why they didn't want to talk
about race?
My findings on prior knowledge about race and why students didn't want to talk about race are based in large part on an activity done on the first day of class. At the beginning of the second class period I asked students to do an anonymous reflective writing in response to this question: Why do you think people didn't want to talk about being a different race? Some students personalized the question and wrote on why they personally hadn't wanted to talk about race; other students responded with thoughts about the class in general.
One possibility for why students didn't want to talk about race was because it was the first day of class. Although I think this was a contributing factor, my previous experience with this activity, and with students' willingness to discuss gender, suggests that something about race in particular invites silence. In the following quote a student addresses the first day of class issue, but raises additional points that concur with those from other students.
"I think it had a lot to do with the fact that it was the first day of class --not only that, but I also think race is a touchy subject. No one wants to sound racist in a new class, or anywhere, for that matter. People were more willing to answer other questions than this one, so I think it does have to do with the whole race issue. I know that I would feel uncomfortable saying I'm "proud" to be "white" (even though I'm much more than that.)"
Often, as in the quote above, a couple of assumptions are blended in a student's response. Thus, some of the following examples could have been used to illustrate more than one of the aspects of prior knowledge.
"I think [it] . . . was because people probably didn't want to seem racist. If they would have said something like whites have it easier than many other races in the U.S., it would be true, but people also might automatically assume they are racist."
"I think racism is still a really big problem and everyone knows it deep down. It's going out of people's comfort level to talk about race because of the way society feels about racism."
"No one really . . . want[ed] to chime in and say that it's great being a white person. No one wanted to say that it sucks to be a minority because 90% of the class are white Americans and we really have nothing to complain about. The truth is it's harder to be a minority today."
"No one wanted to say that by being white you have it easier than someone of a different race."
"I don't think anyone answered because they didn't want to offend anyone or say a comment that might come off as being racist when really they didn't mean it quite that way."
"Race is one of those touchy subjects. People fear saying something that might be offensive to others."
"I personally didn't answer because I was scared to make myself look bad or stuck up because if I had answered I would have said no I would not change because I like my race and am proud to be who I am."
"They might not have wanted to seem like they were "bragging" because they are a white American."
"I know that I would feel uncomfortable saying I'm "proud" to be "white" (even though I'm much more than that.)"
"No one answered the question because they are proud of who they are. People are raised to be proud of themselves, their family, and their race. Everyone felt that their race was the "best" and wouldn't want to change it. Another reason may be because the majority of this school are Caucasians, who are seen by most as the superior race."
"I think that for one, the ideals we have become accustomed to in America is that white middle class people are the best in a sense. Our country has been blessed and many people have a (even if it's subconscious) slight derogatory judgment upon Mexicans, blacks, Chinese, Middle Eastern descent people, anybody really for some reason or another. We've simply been raised to be glad we're white, and to affirm that every race of people makes fun of other nationalities."
"I think people didn't comment because they know the hardships and prejudice other races have had to go through today and in the past. They didn't want to seem prejudice[d] towards other races by explaining exactly why they wouldn't want to come back as a different race."
"I honestly like being seen as the more powerful, more privileged, it makes life easier to not live with racism as an issue, personally for myself."
"I don't think anyone wanted to appear racist. Personally, I wouldn't want to change because how could you get into a better position than white-male? There simply isn't, and I don't think anyone was willing to say that in a mixed-race class room for fear of how others would react."
"People, especially white Americans, don't like to admit that we have it easy and like it that way. We like not having the struggles and problems other races may encounter. We may come off as being lazy or even racist if we admit we wouldn't want to be another race. There may be a small part in everyone that would like to experience it, but only for a short while to see what it's like."
"I think the reason no one was willing to speak about it was because they might be ashamed to do so. They probably thought, like me, that it wouldn't be such a bad thing [to be a different race], but were ashamed to say that we would want to come back as an African American or a Hispanic. That people might look down on us for that."
"Race is a strong subject. It deals with your morals, values and other aspects of your life that could be judged. People were scared to speak up because instantly they would be judged by others."