The Center School ‘Boot Of Racism’ Class Taught By Jon Greenberg Sparks Controversy

Seattle high school teacher Jon Greenberg created a controversial curriculum to teach White America about racism. Greenberg’s blog, Citizenship and Social Justice, shares resources used to create the “Curriculum for White Americans to Educate Themselves on Race and Racism–from Ferguson to Charleston.” lesson plans used at The Center School in Washington.

Excerpt from a post on Jon Greenberg’s Citizenship and Social Justice blog:

“There are no doubt complexities that come with White Americans working for racial justice. White privilege can lead to a chronic case of undiagnosed entitlement, creating poor listeners, impatient speakers who talk over others, and people unaccustomed to taking orders. Nevertheless, the movement for racial justice needs more White Americans to get involved. And it’s our responsibility to help each other get involved–and get involved productively.“

The Center School teacher’s “Curriculum for White Americans to Educate Themselves on Race and Racism–from Ferguson to Charleston” curriculum reportedly begins by stating a discussion anecdote to his students. Over the course of several days, the Seattle students reportedly spent time “exploring the concept of white privilege” and the history or race and racism in American.

During the racism lesson, Greenberg asks The Center School teenagers in his class who experienced the “societal-sized boot of racism” more, who does the oppressing, and who is responsible for “stopping the oppression.”

“Everyone has a role in ending racism, but the [boot] analogy shows how little sense it makes for only those facing the heel-end of oppression to do all the work,” Jon Greenberg wrote. “It’s time for White America to take on a far bigger role in taking off the boot. Instead of spending your energies on guilt, I encourage you to spend them seeking inspiration to act. There’s no shortage of inspiration.”

The Center School teacher is also reportedly a writer for Everyday Feminism. In a recent post, Greenberg noted the decision by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley to remove the Confederate Flag from the statehouse. Greenberg referred to what Bree Newsome, the woman who shimmied up the Capitol flag pole in attempt to forcibly remove the flag, did as an “act of resistance.”

In 2013, Jon Greenberg was reportedly issued an administrative transfer by the school district after a student’s family complained he was creating an intimidating environment in the class – which is reportedly a required humanities course on race relations.

Excerpt from a statement issued by the Seattle public school district after the Jon Greenberg transfer.

“These are important conversations for our students and staff. But we don’t want to put any child into a situation where he or she feels so intimidated by the manner in which these issues are taught that the course is no longer effective.”

A report by local news station, KOMO-TV, stated that Greenberg emailed both current and former students after the parents of the student complained about intimidation and the Seattle school began investigating the claims. The family alleged that Greenberg “singled out” one student in the class, “help him with his cause.” The Center School student, Zak Meyer, told the news station that Greenberg informed the class about the student’s intimidation complaint.

Due to the assistance of the teachers union, the Greenberg transfer from The Center School was reportedly overturned after one year. Greenberg returned to the building and resumed teaching his race relations course. At the end of the 2015 school year, John Greenberg was awarded the Courage in the Pursuit of Social Justice Award from the University of Washington chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

The Center School is ranked as the 50th best public high school in the state and has a 31 percent minority enrollment, according to U.S. News and World Report.

What do you think about The Center School race relations course taught by Jon Greenberg?

[Featured image via: Citizenship and Social Justice Facebook page]