Being a young white female I experience privilege and
marginalization. Being white I have many advantages as other white people do in
the sense of being treated as trustworthy and valued. Being young white female
I believe I have been marginalized. I would not have gotten my job here in SCSD
fresh out of college if it wasn’t for my degree. They were nervous for me to be
at Henninger, and there were even jokes made about how long I would last here.
Many of my students are looked at as trouble makers, or statements are made of
“they won’t make it” because they dress a certain way and look a certain way.
For me, I personally will target those specific students to have them feel
valued and that I want them in class. I think my other students who are white,
dressed well and come to school everyday feel undervalued because I focus my
attention on those who typically tend to drop off. I think the students who are
view as “smart” or “well off” are given space and valued. I do think the
district has done a better job of using programs that do highlight more culturally
responsive ideals and situations. Do I think this is a fix to everything? No.
But it is a step in the right direction.
