That Which Does Not Kill You, Makes You Bitter

I sometimes attend meetings where kids are expelled from school and their parents have to pick an alternate setting in order to continue their education. The district offers these alternatives because, by law, they have to.

Usually I meet with high school kids. Occasionally a middle school student.

Yesterday, I met with an elementary school child.

This kid was adorable and well-behaved, lots of yes sirs and no ma'ams. His father was dressed in a nice suit, looking sharp and polished.

In other words, not my usual clientele.

I've been at this more than a few years now and can spot the fakers a mile away. This family was not faking their level of intelligence, dignity, or manners. Trust me.

So after the meeting, I had to ask one of my colleagues, "What's the deal? Why did this kid get expelled?"

"He's been taunted all year with racial slurs and finally defended himself. Despite the fact that he's never had a bad mark against him, behavior or otherwise, and despite the fact that his teachers are all devastated because they love him, he's being expelled for fighting. The parents are appealing the decision, but regardless, they say they're through here. Too nasty and bigoted an environment. They're heading back East this summer."

I thought about that beautiful little boy, his demeanor and what he's been through this year. I walked into my classroom, shut the door, and cried.

It hit home. In ways you can't even imagine.

I'm not one who believes there's any such thing as a location cure because you bring yourself with you wherever you go. But what if you're not the problem? If the problem is the location, then leaving is the cure.

And there is a huge problem with a white, right-wing, evangelical location that says to hell with everyone else. Especially if you're not white, right-wing, or evangelical.

Yes, there are racists and bigots back East. But there are also more diverse communities and I hope this little boy and his family find one where he is no longer victimized.

Besides, I don't know many schools back East, or anywhere else for that matter, willing to part with smart kids who have high test scores and good behavior records like they do around here. Dismiss or expel good kids and guess who you end up with? That's just crazy talk.

Some idiots will say this is good for him. Teaches him how to handle problems. Teaches him how to be tough. Or some such nonsense.

Complete and utter idiots.

Another of my colleagues put it beautifully: "He has his whole life to be tough. He shouldn't have to go through this as a child."

I'm with her.