The Cleveland Branch NAACP is shocked and appalled over reports that a teacher in the Akron Schools system spewed racial epithets regarding the same African American children he was charged with educating.
In light of these allegations we understand why concerned citizens have demanded his tenure with the Akron schools be immediately terminated. We stand in solidarity with citizens and stakeholders alike, including Akron Branch NAACP President and NAACP National Board member, Ophelia Averitt and Ohio NAACP State Conference President, Sybil McNabb, who have demanded this teacher be precluded from participating in the education of school children in any district in the State of Ohio.
While the removal of this Akron teacher provides the community with an immediate remedy for his behavior, this instance, like so many others, serves as indication that racism is still a pressing issue. Whether it’s the killing of a Florida teen in a racial profiling scenario gone awry or the affront to human dignity from an out of touch high end New York department store, these incidents shed a disturbing light on the marker of a road already traveled. The long fight against racism has had at its core a fight against the propaganda used to justify demeaning human beings based on the color of their skin. The NAACP emerged as a response to a call for this fight and 104 years later we are still faced with this vicious reality. Therefore, in addition to neutralizing this teacher’s influence on any children, we should use this unfortunate incident as a teaching moment for those who want and need to believe racism and discrimination is a thing of the past.
How many isolated incidents of racism does it take to create a tapestry of bitterness and hate? When these incidents occur, the focus tends to be on the perpetrator, not the intended or actual victims. People of color are too familiar with the sting and nauseating effects of racism. We live with it on almost a daily basis. We work diligently for peace in our minds and hearts so that we can enjoy the country our forefathers and mothers helped build. But every time there is a lax in our consciousness – or god forbid our militancy – we are reintroduced to this bitter pill.
The Akron teacher is a symptom of a larger problem. Like most illnesses, removing the symptom does not provide us with a cure. We are not sure what that cure looks like. People more deliberate and knowledgeable than us have searched for the elusive remedy. We appreciate this teacher’s right to free speech. We also understand that the law is not moving as quickly as our ability to communicate through social media. However, we are very clear about the NAACP’s function, mission and core agenda, which is to eradicate racism and inequality in all of its forms. Indeed, the state of Ohio recognizes that educators are held to a higher standard based on the sensitive nature of their profession. The Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Educators provides clear direction and boundaries for teacher behavior. A common theme throughout the Code is that disparaging of a student based on race is prohibited. This teacher should definitely go, but the conversation surrounding his behavior should not end with his removal.
