Teaching Tolerance Magazine

Issue 36, Fall 2009

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Colorblindness: The New Racism? 

The Fall 2009 issue interrogates the statement, “I don’t see color.” Racial “colorblindness”—the idea that ignoring or overlooking racial and ethnic differences promotes racial harmony—erases students’ identities and closes educators’ eyes to the experiences of their students.

This issue highlights the importance of understanding and affirming student experiences. For white educators, that means learning to talk about race and racism. For all educators, that means practicing culturally relevant instruction. It involves looking at school policies that may push children of color out of school and into the justice system. Read on to learn about these critical steps—and more.

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Features

Relevant: Beyond the Basics

Monica Edwards taught a class of primarily African American and Latino students. Her initial inability to reach them turned into a lesson.

Inclusion on the Bookshelf

In fiction, children with disabilities are often still segregated, labeled, lonely and lost. These titles will help bring your school’s library into the age of inclusion.

Pushed Out

Zero tolerance policies were supposed to end school violence. Instead, they’re pushing students out of school and into the justice system — and children of color are paying the highest price.

Talking Race

Making a space where teachers can talk about difference.

Departments

Perspectives

Know Your Audience, Find Your Power

"There’s nothing wrong with the way your grandparents talk,” my elementary school teachers used to say. “Standard English is different. Not better or worse. It’s just a way of talking that you need to know.”
Why I Teach

Close to Home

Jackie Brown prided herself on teaching her students about disabilities. But could she confront her own feelings about her mother and polio?