Emotional abuse of students of color: the hidden inhumanity in our schools

Illuminating and understanding the emotional abuse inflicted on many students of color is a necessity in creating conditions for their school success. However, this topic is rarely discussed among educators and those preparing educators. However, from the author's recent experiences conducting research in racially diverse schools as well as her nearly 30 years working in such schools, it is apparent that some teachers, consciously or unconsciously, act in ways toward their students that constitute abuse, i.e. the infliction of narcissistic injuries. The possible sequelae of these injuries may have deleterious effects on the future academic, emotional and physical health of the students. Notes 1. The interventionist action research referred to here is the original study (Author 2001, omitted for blind review). This manuscript, however, is based on the reentering and further analysis of the original data, including transcripts, field notes, researcher journal and initial analysis. 2. Each of the participants, including me, racially identified as white. 3. East River Elementary is a pseudonym for the school described in this study. 4. Originally the data in this study (Author 2001, omitted for blind review) were analyzed into six themes, with one of these being 'abuse.' This theme and the data subsumed in it, along with the original transcripts, field notes and researcher journal, were further analyzed resulting in the subtheme of 'shaming', including the three ways shaming was enacted by the teachers. These shaming enactments included criminalizing and pathologizing students, disrespecting and blaming students, and, finally, humiliating and excluding students. 5. James Gilligan, MD is the Director of the Center for the Study of Violence at Harvard University, where he is a member of faculty of Harvard Medical School. Additionally, he was a member of the Academic Advisory Council of the National Campaign Against Youth Violence, to which he was appointed by President Clinton.