Presenting a Proposal to Further Research in the Field of Biracial Awareness in the LISD

Halle Berry Is she Black or White?

Nicole Richie?

Tiger Woods? Black, White, Thai or European?

What About Them??

What is Biracial/ Multiracial? Individuals who are biologically or culturally from two or more races, ethnicities or cultures.

Facts and Background The number of multiracial babies has increased in theUS by 260 percent since 1970 Monoracial babies have only increased by 15 percent Translated to 100,000 biracial birth per year since 1989.

Facts… In 2000, for the first time, the forms distributed by the Bureau Census to millions of households across America gave biracial and multiracial individuals the option of marking more than one category under the section of the survey marked “Race”.

Facts The most recent US Census reported 2% of 199,564 persons in Lubbock of two or more races

American’s Views of Our Own Culture In the United States we group people by broad “pure race or single race” categories, while in other nations across the world labels are based on a person’s total genetic heritage

Respected Psychologist? Dr. Phil's sage advice to a biracial woman guest was: "Pick a team and play for them; pick a black team or a white team." Saying, in effect, "You must choose to be black or white, you can't be both."

Just Pick One Anglo/Other Hispanic African American

Not Just One Fits Everyone! Multiracial Mulatto Mixed Eurasian Coloured Cablinasian Creole Anglo-Indiam Amerasian Mestizo Latino

Current LISD Enrollment

What programs do LISD currently use? When interviewed several teachers were unable to show any programs that are currently being implemented. The main things the school district does to increase multicultural awareness are celebrations for religious holidays and historical events.

Celebrations Float for September 16 th Cinco de Mayo- Individual Class Black History- Individual Class Christmas Program- Around the World

Lack of Resources Material hardly exists for the information we are suggesting be implemented, so educators need to become creative and inventive of games and materials with adapting curriculum content. Two examples of existing programs (Somewhat outdated) 1. Derman-Sparks Wardle 1991

Things Teachers Can Do! School staff should never be the source that harasses a multiracial child. Instead they should… –Learn more about and teach the history of multiracial and multi ethnic people in the US –Learn how to provide information and support to interracial and interethnic families –Support and organize conferences, workshops, and trainings that explore the unique background and needs of these children and families –Receive training in meeting the needs of all children who do not fit neatly into the existing racial and ethnic “boxes”

Focus on the Family During initial parent teacher conferences teachers can discuss with the parents issues of identity –How is the child viewed at home? –How do parents respond to negative comments directed at their child? –How do they reaffirm their child’s unique identity?

Suggestions for Eliminating Bias Urging state governments to include a multiracial category on school forms Exploring alternatives to race-and ethnic- specific groups and celebrations Encouraging publishers of school materials to include multiracial and multiethnic people in their text and illustrations

“Biracial children are a population that many professionals are now serving in much greater numbers. We need to be responsive to the identity needs of these children.” The school board needs to take action in recognize there is a time for change and we need to be active in solving this ongoing problem

New Curriculum Materials should include content that will cover when and why anti-miscegenation laws were passes, the genesis and continual support of the One-Drop rule ( whereby if a person had one drop of African-American blood, he or she is labeled African- American

Recommendations Complete survey process Recommend changes to current LISD enrollment form Implement training program to increase teacher and staff awareness

“Educators need to understand that these forms are discomforting to parents and students; to many, the “other” choice is not acceptable, because it perpetuates the notion that multiracial children do not fit in and do not belong.” (Benjamin-Wardle, 1994)

For Further Information