The principal of my middle school was black (1974). And my 9th grade science teacher was a black woman (1978).
I think knowing what you wanted to do when you grew up was maybe part of your identifying with that teacher. I don’t remember having any thoughts about that as a kid; mostly I was just trying to get through the day.
Love your website! And i agree with Henry, a black teacher , even though there is not enough, is likely to give great advices due to his own experience, and struggle. Kisses from France!
You are so right Keith. It absolutely makes a huge difference to kids to see someone like them doing fabulous activities like cartooning or teaching or ballet dancing-thanks, Misty!! Our vice principal was a six-foot, seven-inch tall brown man who kept our school from having race riots while Every Other School in my area (SE FL) rioted thruout the early 70s. We knew that Mr Humphries would be so incredibly disappointed in us that we held the line and didn’t do it. Very difficult in those days in that space. I still firmly believe it was due to Mr H and his way of being part of us as we grew into our adult selves that shaped our destinies more so than any other person in . my high school.
Thank you Keith for bringing back those wonderful old memories.
Testimonies like these convince me that we are better than the people governing us, who are only trying to stir us up and maintain racial division. United we stand! I grew up in NE Fla in the 60s, by the way. Thanks again, Keith.
I had only one Black teacher back in grade school (mid ’60s) and Miss Waiters was the best. She’s the one who taught us basic binding
and showed me my art could belong in a book- which I still have!
I had one black teacher, a middle school music teacher.
I’m a white guy, so his effect on me had more to do with my way of looking at other people than looking at myself, but still, it was a valuable lesson at that impressionable age to experience an intelligent black man who knew lots of stuff teaching me.
An inspiring story, Keith. And a well drawn comic. Your mentor would be proud! Are you still in touch with him, by the way?
The principal of my middle school was black (1974). And my 9th grade science teacher was a black woman (1978).
I think knowing what you wanted to do when you grew up was maybe part of your identifying with that teacher. I don’t remember having any thoughts about that as a kid; mostly I was just trying to get through the day.
Sweet, thanks! I suspect a black teacher would have had a great influence on the white kids, too ….
Love your website! And i agree with Henry, a black teacher , even though there is not enough, is likely to give great advices due to his own experience, and struggle. Kisses from France!
You are so right Keith. It absolutely makes a huge difference to kids to see someone like them doing fabulous activities like cartooning or teaching or ballet dancing-thanks, Misty!! Our vice principal was a six-foot, seven-inch tall brown man who kept our school from having race riots while Every Other School in my area (SE FL) rioted thruout the early 70s. We knew that Mr Humphries would be so incredibly disappointed in us that we held the line and didn’t do it. Very difficult in those days in that space. I still firmly believe it was due to Mr H and his way of being part of us as we grew into our adult selves that shaped our destinies more so than any other person in . my high school.
Thank you Keith for bringing back those wonderful old memories.
Testimonies like these convince me that we are better than the people governing us, who are only trying to stir us up and maintain racial division. United we stand! I grew up in NE Fla in the 60s, by the way. Thanks again, Keith.
Thanks for giving us some hope, Keith. It’s up to us!
Hey – Where’s your twitter icon? I’m going to post this on my feed, and you’re going to make me work for it? :)
I had only one Black teacher back in grade school (mid ’60s) and Miss Waiters was the best. She’s the one who taught us basic binding
and showed me my art could belong in a book- which I still have!
I had one black teacher, a middle school music teacher.
I’m a white guy, so his effect on me had more to do with my way of looking at other people than looking at myself, but still, it was a valuable lesson at that impressionable age to experience an intelligent black man who knew lots of stuff teaching me.