University Academy Teacher Suspended Based On Alleged Racial Slur

CALL Staff Writer

University Academy is considered to be one of the upper echelon college preparatory charter schools tucked away a few blocks west of 68th and Troost. They serve Pre-K through 12th grade.

The current conversation starts with the qualifying question of, Is it okay for a white teacher to start a racial empowerment discussion in the classroom? The teacher has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation with the school for expanding his use of the “N” word.

What has been reported and shared online is a white male teacher saying the “N” word in a classroom setting along with the explanation of why he used the word to a class filled with Black students.

Reviewing the video itself, what was conveyed and what was transcribed was the explanation and not the lesson plan that had taken place in the earlier class, prompting the recorded statement.

The teacher said that just as “African Americans call themselves the “N” word, there may be some people that don’t like that but, it was said in an educational context and was said for the purpose of talking about empowerment. So you can like it or not like it. Be upset about it all you like, but ultimately this is a ridiculous conversation”, the teacher said as the children began laughing in the background.

Now there are some very strong discussions happening amongst the community. Councilwoman Melissa Robinson has been quoted on TV sharing her distinct thoughts as a community leader. She said “That’s just a word that should never be used, in a district that is predominately Black.

There was a town hall meeting held on Wednesday Dec. 7, where other parents and students shared their outrage, because administrators failed to act for weeks. Students attempted to express themselves as dignified as possible but felt that the explanation was lackluster and lacking.

Parents are upset that this happened on November. 10, and they weren’t notified until after the Thanksgiving holiday on November 29, and after the video went viral enough to prompt mainstream media inquiries.

THE CALL reached out to H. Dave Whalen whom was eager to share his opinion stating that he was offended. He suggested that the white male teacher “has a responsibility to teach about character and integrity” and that he is also to be a leader by also showing nurture and temperament. Whalen also shared that even if he had been a Black teacher that the use of the “N word would still have been unacceptable because the term is derogatory and we as Black people should not use it either. It is not empowering, and it has no place of use in 2022 society.

Whalen mentioned that all things racially or culturally in question or referenced should defer back to the parents.

Leaving questions of the roles of responsibilities of instructors ”how to” approach controversial topics.

Others aren’t so offended because the comments were stated to be a prerequisite to educational context. Also consider that there are so many racial discussions happening in private, how or when is it appropriate to have these discussions openly? The children have an opportunity to engage in the discussion and perhaps even teach the teacher. Some views the content as if the teacher had a greater understanding for how the community has used this word for empowerment and that just because he knows and he

Even in the Black community we find it often times difficult to discuss racial topics appropriately mostly because race and culture is a very emotion al subject. We are a prideful people and often times no longer have the fortitude to be judge, or corrected.In 2022 racial discussions certainly continue on, but racial tensions seem to never change.

One considers why media isn’t highlighting the white male teacher that attempted discussions of empowerment by attempting to engage students in a fearful topic? At the very least we are now having pivotal deductions with our youth at home.

After weighing on the opinion of several in the community the general consensus is that the classroom is supposed to be a safe place. When in an educational setting there’s no excuse for a teacher/leader to use any type of derogatory or offensive jargon amongst the students. Leaning environments are supposed to be comfortable and the authority figure sucked the comfort out of the room by taking a matter of so opinion, regarding the use of the ‘N” word amongst the community.

To the contrary, the youth displayed they were not ignorant, and were obviously intelligent enough to video record the discussion that could be taken out of context as an exhibit to show the conclusion of the earlier attempt to contextualize empowerment of Blacks from another white male.