Recently I gave my students an exam. The students had spent all semester next to the same people, with whom they likely studied. So, the first thing I did for the exam was rearrange the classroom. I didn’t want people to be comfortable enough to cheat. I also encouraged students to spread out a little bit. Several seats were available in the back of the room.
Three students arrived late. I handed the first one a test and told him to sit in the front because one large gap was available there. I then handed tests to the other two and told them to go to the back of the classroom.
As they were walking away, James muttered, “Back of the class. What is that supposed to mean?”
At that moment I realized that he is the only African American student in my class and I had basically told him to sit in the back of the bus.
I (almost too) quickly placated, “No implications, James... just a request to fill open seats.”
Other students in the room started to chuckle.
Thankfully James had made his statement with a half joking tone and I knew that he knew I hadn’t meant anything by my unwitting remark. Still, I should be more careful…
Oh, boy!! I'm glad that didn't get any deeper. -Amy
ReplyDeleteIronic post for February - the month we celebrate Martin Luther King's contribution to civil rights in America. I guess in one way to interpret your not tiptoeing verbally around your African American student was as evidence of MLK's "dream" coming true ... your seat assignment was color blind ... until your student good naturedly pointed out your faux pas and others tittered at your discomfiture.
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