The definitions in this section were consistent with my
understanding of the types of racism. The four levels of racism though was
different for me. I have heard of individual racism, structural racism and
institutional racism, but I have never heard of interpersonal racism. At least
the term anyways. I do understand that racism occurs between individuals, but I
have never heard the term before of interpersonal racism. I really enjoyed the
systemic racism video because I do think it further cemented what systemic
racism means and what can be done about it. I also like that it connected back
the idea of implicit bias. I enjoy that the resources continue to connect back
to each other and connect each week building upon each other.
My growth as an educator in the Syracuse city school
district stems from a deep feeling of remorse for how I was raised as a young
white woman. Both of my parents are incredibly racist individuals, and as I
grew up I knew it was wrong but I never knew how to exactly cope with those
feelings. Now as an adult, I am more aware of my own implicit bias, and how
they affect my interactions with the students that I teach and I work everyday
on building deep connections with my students and showing them that I value
them as individuals and the unique personalities they bring to the classroom. I
think that many of our students struggle with racism when they go to the mall,
or even as they walk down the hallways. I think that many do have resentment
towards their white teachers because they feel as though their teachers “are
out to get them” or are “racist”, but it is our job as educators to show that
is not true.
