Blof # 4 Antonio & Delfino

This " dual existence" between Caucasian and minorities is really awful in my school. It is not only among Hispanics,but it is also among African Americans .My school has a majority of African American. Even though they are born here and go to the same schools, they still have this kind of "dual existence" attitude in them.When they come to school they talk and be in the same classes, but when they have free time, I see all the African American group together, all Caucasian group together, and Hispanics together. This kind of situation is worst when we have morning bus duty. We make all the bus riders sit in the auditorium in the morning. They cannot leave any empty seats in between, they cannot sit on the next row until the previous one is filled up. When the bus comes if there is an African American student already sitting on the seat, a Caucasian refuses to sit next to him/her, and if there is a Caucasian sitting, an African American refuses to sit next to him/her. They just say " I don't want to sit next to white chick or I don't want to sit next to a black.
It is same with Hispanic students also. Some times especially during TCAP testing we give them free time. We take them outside and give them time to just talk and be with each other. When I see around I see different groups of Caucasian, African American , and Hispanics. They all sit in different groups and talk , and for some reason I always remember the proverb " Birds of same feather flock together".
As an immigrant teacher I faced a major problem when I joined my school. Kids are not used to seeing a teacher other than a Caucasian or African American in the schools. When I joined the school it was hard for them to accept me as their teacher. Not only the kids even some adults were equally prejudice. When they saw me after the Christmas break one of them even commented "oh, you are back ".
Because I am an immigrant teacher I always make sure that I say the pledge with the students and also make sure that all my students stand up during the pledge. When I see any student sitting I go to him and explain that if they sit during the pledge is a disrespect to "our" country. I use the word "our" to show that even though I look different I am also one of them. As an educator I think it is my duty to be a good role model. If I take this negative attitude seriously, then I do not have any right to be a teacher . When I divide my students for group activities I always make sure that apart from their proficiency level, I include all the races in a team.
America has a long way to go to erase this issue of racism. When I hear any comments that is racist I call them and explain to them that everyone in America is an immigrant. I ask them if they know the song "This land is my land, this land is your land
from California to New York island...........( that always make them smile, and I tell them that is a positve attitude, and send them back.