ENGLISH DEPARTMENT MEETING

Dismantling Racism In The Classroom

BY IKRAN ABDI

No student should ever have to experience alienation or unease in their own classrooms, yet for the majority of black students taking English classes, this is frequently the case. The experience of studying English classics has been had by many American students. However, many of these literary classics share the commonality of the usage of racist language. In October of 2022, a number of students brought to the notice of administration the widespread use of slurs in their English classroom. “It irritates me because no one should be permitted to use such words in a classroom setting.” One of the students on the panel, Amel Yusuf shared with us. “We made the decision to speak with the principal and the English department instructors to explain what had happened, how we felt, and how this was a problem in the English department since we were aware that it was a reoccurring issue.”

Saying derogatory terms in a classroom isn’t acceptable regardless of the context. Those words hold heaviness and trauma that can be detrimental to someone’s mental health. “We aren’t asking to pretend that word doesn’t exist, but it should be approached respectfully. Reading the world out loud doesn’t help anyone; We aren’t kindergarteners, we can read, we don’t need it to be said out loud for us to hear.” Mariam Galbetie told us, one of the students on the panel mentioned.

“Having conversation of the impact of the word before bringing in material that contains it would be beneficial.” Amal Yusef shared. She explains how without those conversations in the classroom, then books with such material shouldn’t be taught. “If we’re just reading books with no classroom conversations about the content, what’s the point?” Mariam Galbetie said.

Idil Nur, a junior, shared how: “Often when you are the only black student in that classroom, it’s nerve wracking to be the only one to stand up and tell your teacher you are uncomfortable.” She shares how she would often be treated as if she was over exaggerating for speaking out. “You get treated like you’re doing too much for simply explaining something. Because of this, many black students are reluctant to speak up, and then teachers use our silence as an opening to say whatever they want. After all, who else is going to call them out?”

Nate Gibbs, the new Eden Prairie High School Principal, who attended the meeting and shared what the outcome of what students can expect in their classrooms. “Under no circumstances may it be utilized or spoken aloud. It is to be referred to as the N-Word if it is relevant to what you are learning.” Mr. Gibbs shared. “It’s our job to make sure students feel comfortable in their own classrooms.”