If you’re going to make Tennessee’s public school teachers learn about “white privilege” then, for balance, you ought to instruct them on the opposing point of view.
Specifically, you should tell them “white privilege” is not so much settled science as much as it is an academic theory — and then talk about what’s wrong with it.
This, according to two Tennessee residents from separate corners of the state who have spoken out against teachers in their respective districts getting In-service teacher training on this subject.
“It (“white privilege”) is a theory, and it’s rooted in critical race theory coming from a lot of our universities and professors,” said Patrick Hampton, an African-American Chattanooga man, who, as reported, has taken a lot of flak for speaking out.
“I believe there needs to be a conversation had. If you say white privilege exists and white people have privilege then show me where because of a person’s skin tone they are privileged. They can’t do that. There should at least be a discussion about it.”
Stefanie Rose Miles, who recently created the Facebook group WCS TN Parents Want Facts to counter “white privilege” training of teachers in the Williamson County School System, spoke more forcefully.
“If school officials insist upon teaching it then they definitely need to offer the opposing view or the negations of the theory. But I would think that such a false theory and a damaging theory ought not be taught. In my opinion, they don’t lay it all out there,” Miles told The Tennessee Star.
“They do it in stages. They (eventually) get you to the point where they want you to believe that white people are racist because they are merely born white. And they don’t come out with that bold of a statement (at first) because they know people wouldn’t buy into it that quickly because it is too off the wall.”
Members of the Hamilton and Williamson county school boards, some of whom have previously defended “white privilege” training, did not return requests for comment.
Hampton said “white privilege” ultimately creates a culture of low expectations for black children and makes those same children bitter toward their white teachers. He also said “white privilege” cripples blacks, forces them to accept self-defeat, and does nothing to make them realize their fullest potential in life.
As reported, Hampton gathered screenshots of the “white privilege” training in Hamilton County and sent them to the media. These screenshots infuriated the public.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Patrick Hampton” by Patrick Hampton.
