What Can I do about racism at my school?

Question

Im a senior at my school, and our school is made up of four grade schools, 3 white, and 1 native. There has racism at my school for over 40 years. And it has gotten extremely bad in the past 15, because in 1989 we had a treaty signed saying that the native americans could spear fish on their OWN land. well that sturred up the people and there were [sorry if I might affend people by calling people white?] white people coming to the reservation and throwingn rocks at the natives and yelling profound things., and kids my day BRAG about their parents being one of those who threw the rock, or made a sign, or yelled at the natives. I have gone through 4 years now and every year its like it gets worse, because its cool to be a "hick" what they call themselves. "white pride, and the south will rise again" and draw the confederate flag on their books, and stupid things like that. Indians have a different way of saying things, known as "indian humor", which they make fun of.

they use it to be funny, and they say things FROM DIRECT QUOTE "", and nothing can be done about it. My mother is White and my father is Native American. Im no racist or no redneck. I see that racism may run both ways sometimes, I dont take sides.. but its been bothering me so bad, my friends MY FRIENDS!!!! say things like BEYYYY [a word natives use] and they say things like that TO ME! and i guess i turn into the ***** when they say it? but wouldnt you? and now i just accept the things they say, because nothing will ever get done about it. The school hasnt done much about anything. anything at all. i dont even know what they could do. inter-racial activities? they used to have a pow-pow every year and the kids [EVERYONE] would dance or just watch. it was a fun day. until the newspaper here stated that the school made them/forced everyone to dance and they stopped having it. and that was never the case. i guess i just need help.. entirely. anything might work? thanks...

they use it to be funny, and they say things FROM DIRECT QUOTE " i will destroy you you f***ing injin. you are a f***ing worthless peicer of s*** so if you ever c*** off to me again i will be forced to beat your native a**. F* them indians they shine all our deer, F* them indians they ain't nothin that we fear, F* them indians let me make my message clear; f* you.", and nothing can be done about it. My mother is White and my father is Native American. Im no racist or no redneck. I see that racism may run both ways sometimes, I dont take sides.. but its been bothering me so bad, my friends MY FRIENDS!!!! say things like BEYYYY [a word natives use] and they say things like that TO ME! and i guess i turn into the ***** when they say it? but wouldnt you? and now i just accept the things they say, because nothing will ever get done about it. The school hasnt done much about anything. anything at all. i dont even know what they could do. inter-racial activities?

Answer 1

I am a Native woman and I am so sorry to hear about this.

I am glad you are thinking about making a change. You should be commended for that!

Do you have a multicultural advocate at your school? If so, start with them. If not, do you have any teachers or administrators who are people of color or allies? If so then sit down with them. You need to find some adult with a connection to the school system (even if its just someone on the parent committee). Sit with them and come up with a plan.

Your plan will probably include: taking matters to the administration, pushing for cultural competence training for educators and other staff, taking time out in school to teach culture, making your school a no tolerance racism free zone.
You may want to even start a petition having everyone who wants the problem to be fixed somehow to sign it, including adults and students. This way administration can see what a big problem it is. Also, record the incidences in a journal. You can read them off to administration and it'll be a big shock. If administration won't listen then go to the school board. If the school board won't listen go to the town council etc.. When you go to town council tell them you will keep coming back until they do something (this usually works).

A fight for racial equality and cultural understanding is a fight well worth while! Go For It!!!!

Answer 2

there is nothing u can do, no matter what there will always be racism, i mean back in the day u had blacks who were uncle toms and kissed white peoples ***, but they still hated them because they were black, i dont know why they are acting like that about the indians reservations this is their land anyways, if u ask me the the natives should be throwing rocks at their dumbasses

Answer 3

i went to a school of mainly natives, they were alright i guess...some good people and some complete assholes, its weird cause we never said that the people we liked we liked em cause they were native but the idiots were idiots cause they were native

Answer 4

Sounds like you need new friends.

Answer 5

That is an age old question.