A Norman, Oklahoma high school teacher’s lecture on race has drawn criticism from students who believe he was out of line for insinuating that all white people are racist.
Last week, the Norman North High school teacher used a popular Facebook video about race to help students understand the history of racism in America. However, not all students approved of his methods. An anonymous student took out her cell phone and began recording. In the video, the teacher explains that “to be white is to be racist, period.”
“Am I racist? And, I say yeah,” the teacher continues. “I don’t want to be. It’s not like I choose to be racist, but do I do things because of the way I was raised?”
The student tells NewsChannel 4 the lecture made her uncomfortable, and she believes the teacher encouraged others to pick on whites.
“Half of my family is Hispanic. So I just felt like, you know, him calling me racist just because I’m white … I mean, where’s your proof in that? … So, I wanted him to apologize and make it obvious and apparent to everyone that was his opinion.”
Since the student’s interview, Norman Public Schools released a statement Friday saying the discussion was poorly handled and that they are committed to inclusion.
In a recent NewsChannel 4 report, students staged a walkout in support of the teacher.
