What happens when perception is reality, but it's distorted? 

I've lived in a neighborhood where I'm a minority.  My school district had less than 5.9% Hispanics in 2004.  Blacks, Native Americans and Middle Easterners were even less.  So, I've been battling racism since I moved here.

I've been pulled over so many times, I lost count.  Why?  Well, because they can.  Have I gotten tickets...no.  I make sure I cover all the bases.  I don't give them ammunition. 

My sons are dark skinned.  My daughters are fair.  My son's have gone through hell from both students and staff.  My son has been physically assaulted.  Were the kids that were guilty brought to justice?  Nope.  Not even detention.  This has been happening since kindergarten.  Is there anything I can do?  No.  They say that they are being fair.  How?  Especially when my son didn't fight back.  One time in the Middle School, a boy wrapped a chain around his hand and punched my son in the middle of his chest.  The nurse was so alarmed, she called me at home.  She told me she was directed not to call me, but he was really hurt.  What happened?  He got an asthma attack.  I took him to his doctor and the ER.  Did the boy get any disciplinary action?  Nope.

Now he's in the high school.  He is 5"10" and 200 lbs.  He is shy and currently has 90 and above in all his classes.  He got thrown out of class yesterday.  He asked her why.  She said..."you were looking at me".

On Monday, I went to see the assistant principal.  Why?  He addressed my son disrespectfully, screamed at me on the phone and proceeded to do the same to Little One's father.  He actually pushed his chair back, got up and started shouting at him, pointing his finger at his face.  I feared for our safety.  No wonder my son was afraid.  The principal passed by the office and kept going.  Someone told him we were in there.  He came in and said:

"I thought he was in here with students, someone told me that there were parents...so I decided to see what was going on...."

My jaw dropped!  Can you agree with me?  If he passed by and heard him yelling irrationally and it didn't phase him...it's safe to say this is the assistant principal's normal behavior.  We couldn't get a word in edge wise.  He told us he was finished with the conversation and we could leave.  Guess what?!?!  The principal told us...he didn't see anything wrong with the asst. principal's  behavior.  He said that it was our perception!  We were being treated in a rude and unprofessional manner and he stood up for him. 

Yesterday, my son was thrown out of class by the teacher.  He asked why.  She said..."I don't like the way you were looking at me."  That was why she sent him to the principal's office.  My daughter couldn't believe what she witnessed.  She told me he wasn't being disrespectful or anything.  It leads me to believe that she is afraid of him... because he is a large Hispanic male.  He told her he didn't want problems.  He told her I had been there already and that she wouldn't want me to go again...since I had such a bad experience.  She said.." Tell your mother she is welcome anytime." 

I called at 9:19 am and left her a very pleasant message in a Snow White tone of voice.  She still hasn't called back.  It's 11:38am.  I don't think she's going to call.  She's probably scared of me too...

I'm tired of the racism in this district.  Let me break it down...$1800.00 mortgage-$900.00 goes to escrow for school and property taxes.  I have the right to be heard and feel safe even if it wasn't costing us $900.00.  Everyone should be treated fairly.  We all breathe the same air and bleed the same blood.  Why should someone's distorted perception of reality dictate how some students and parents are treated?

I'm still waiting for a call.  I think I'm just going to show up wth my ex-mother-in-law.  She's a school social worker for another district.  I don't feel safe entering the school alone.  Mondays' visit taught me one thing.  Justice in this school is not blind.  It's about the color of your skin.  Being a parent doesn't mean I'll be treated with respect.  I'm the wrong skin tone...