Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 9, 1993 TAG: 9303090328
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
TOUGH LESSONS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY
If it is necessary for somebody to say it is wrong for teachers to pay less attention to black students than to white students in their classes, let us say clearly: It is wrong.And if, in 1993, it is necessary for somebody to say it is wrong for teachers to refer to black students as "niggers," let us say clearly: It is wrong.
All of this is clear, but a much else is not about racial tensions reported at Franklin County High School.
This much seems not too opaque: A young white teacher lectured a group of white students about wanting to go to a Black History Month assembly; one of those students, upset about the encounter, talked to a black teacher and alleged that the white teacher had referred to the assembly as a "nigger" program.
Now, what isn't clear: It is not known whether the student's allegation is true. It is not known what the school administration's investigation of the allegation revealed. It is not known what, if any, disciplinary action was taken against the teacher.
None of this is known, nor is it likely ever to be. The school administration is in the uncomfortable position of trying to reassure black parents and students that any such racist remark by a teacher would not be tolerated, while denying them the facts. To reveal the facts would violate the teacher's right to privacy.
So what we have are people - just how many, again, is unclear - who are upset about what they hear. Should they be?
Before getting too upset, they should separate fact from rumor. One student made an allegation against one teacher, and the truth of it may not be known even to the administrators who investigated it. It's impossible to judge whether the matter was dealt with fairly without knowing the facts, and only the school administrators know what they are, as best they could be determined. Which leaves concerned parents, students, teachers and administrators wrestling with a fact of more overriding concern - the lack of trust by at least a vocal minority in the black community toward their educational institutions.
Distrust of the school system runs so high among some of its patrons, apparently, that some of them saw the shutdown of the entire system in anticipation of the Feb. 26 snowstorm as a way to postpone a black music and drama program. Absurd.
Of greater concern, and not at all absurd, are allegations that teachers don't have the same expectations for black students as for white students, and that black students are underrepresented in advanced classes. Whether the former is true is, again, unclear. But even Principal Benny Gibson admits to the latter, and says he's worried about it.
Black parents and students say they're worried, too.
Perhaps it is time to start building some trust, by looking at this problem without defensiveness on the part of administrators, teachers, parents or students. There should be enough trust that everyone can talk about so critical an issue. For despite the hurtful stories being told, there is evidence of a good-faith effort being made by the school administration to lessen racism.
It's not a rumor that 12 percent of the professionals on Franklin County's school staff are black, mirroring the percentage of black residents. That's a fact.
It's not a rumor that in the nine years Leonard Gereau has been school superintendent, black educators have become principals and associate principals, and one has become an associate superintendent. That's a fact.
It is, sadly, not a rumor that some students at Franklin County High School call others "niggers." That, and other terms of disrespect, are heard in the halls. That's a fact. The same probably is true in every school in Southwest Virginia. Gibson admits as much about his, while saying such behavior is not tolerated.
It is also not a rumor that the school district is developing a multicultural-education and sensitivity-training program for staff and students. That's a fact. Gibson says faculty workshops will begin next year.
Perhaps topic No. 1 should be the current controversy. If the episode can be turned into a lesson in tolerance and trust, Franklin County High School will be better able to get on with the work of educating its students. All of them, equally.