#BlackInSchool by Habiba Cooper Diallo

Author:Habiba Cooper Diallo [Diallo, Habiba Cooper]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780889778184
Google: DIFYzgEACAAJ
Publisher: University of Regina Press
Published: 2021-09-04T04:21:17+00:00

I know this might sound paranoid to some readers but read on.

Appreciate the Unfortunate

15 April 2014

Sometimes people try to destroy you, precisely because they recognize your power—not because they don’t see it, but because they see it and they don’t want it to exist. —bell hooks

Another day at school. It’s funny, I was on my way up to English class (#ElevatorAgain) when I saw one of the teachers who challenged my use of the elevator walking near it. I slowed down as I approached the elevator. Oh God spare me, I thought to myself. I did not want another barking session. I was slightly relieved when I saw her turn the corner. I got on the elevator and away to English class I went.

By the way, I did speak to my vice principal about the constant harassment from teachers about my use of the elevator. I did not find our conversation wholly satisfying. To her credit, she did send out a mass email to all the staff asserting that elevator passes are not “given out like candy,” and that students who use the elevator are aware of the privilege that they’ve been given . . . Oh Lord, when elevator use becomes a “privilege” what has the world come to? Anyway, she concluded the meeting by saying that she thinks that will quell some of the teachers’ suspicion of my illicit—as they see it—elevator use. I sure hope it does.

Here’s what I did not find wholly satisfying about how she addressed my concern: When I told her of Ms. Pink Sweater’s (the teacher who barked and snapped at me) degrading and uncivilized treatment of my attempt to use the elevator, she told me that I must “appreciate the unfortunate.” The “unfortunate” meaning that Ms. Pink Sweater had probably just come off duty and that she was probably a little frustrated given that there are students who goof around and try to use the elevator when they’re really not entitled to. I said Ms. Pink Sweater’s treatment of the situation (well there really was no “situation.” Ms. Pink Sweater problematized my mundane elevator use and created a “situation”) reinforced my awareness of the teacher-student hierarchies that exist in this school—perhaps in all schools. Regardless of where the hierarchies exist, my point is that the one existing here (at W.H. High School) is toxic. My vice principal was considerate, however matter-of-fact. She persisted with the “appreciate the unfortunate” discourse, ultimately ending our conversation, ultimately absolving Ms. Pink Sweater of her responsibility to act in a courteous and sensible fashion, and ultimately solidifying my not-so-pleasant thoughts of high school and the Black Body.

I think she should have dealt with my concern by allowing me to identify Ms. Pink Sweater, and she could therefore have approached her, perhaps asked her to apologize to me (I know the apology piece is a little idealistic—since when do teachers apologize to students?), but she should have essentially brought my discontent with Ms. Pink Sweater’s barking at me to Ms.

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