Racism in the Greece schools: Interview with John Niles

This interview is a follow-up to the Greece Central School District: Zero African American Teachers, Why? which discusses how "The Greece Central School District located in Greece, New York is the 8th largest school district in the state, with 20% African American students and zero African American regular full time teachers." It also discusses John Niles' difficulties to even get an interview for a permanent teacher position. Indymedia interviewed John Niles about the current situation in the Greece Schools, his struggles and what we the community can do.

Rochester Indymedia: First off, let me double check this fact: there are absolutely no full time African-American regular teachers in the Greece Central School District? How did you learn this? What are the attitudes of administers and other people in power positions about this fact?

John Niles: Ben there are absolutely zero African American teachers working in the Greece Central School District. This fact was confirmed when Kim O'Connor, Assistant Director of Human Resources for the Greece Central School District testified that the Greece Central School District had "zero African American teachers" at a fact finding meeting held Friday April 03, 2009 at the New York State Division of Human Rights. In addition, at a meeting with Kim O'Connor, Marion Montstream,( Greece United Substitute Teacher Organization (GUSTO) representative), Howard Eagle and Dana Bratcher, (both Activist Against Racism (AARM) members) and myself on Tuesday April 21, 2009 at the Greece Central School District, Ms. O'Connor again repeated and acknowledged the fact that there are zero African American full time teachers in the Greece Central School District. She then fielded questions about this fact from Mr. Eagle. 1A) From what I've seen administrators and people in power have an attitude of intolerence when it comes to hiring African American teachers.

Rochester Indymedia: In your opinion, how does having no African-American full time teachers affect African-American students in Greece? How does it affect white students?

John Niles: Not having African American full time teachers in the Greece Central School District negatively affects all students in the district. For example, there are approximately 20% African American students in the GCSD and these students do not have the opportunity to see someone who looks like them giving academic instruction in the classroom.This could create feelings of inferiority, contribute to lowered self esteem and cause some students in this group to believe that academic achievement is not for them since they do not see African American scholars that they can identify with. In addition, white students may develope feelings of academic superiority since all the teachers they see are white like them. Moreover, white students and other students of color are deprived of the opportunity to receive academic instruction from someone with a different set of life experiences and perspective. Furthermore, having zero African American teachers does not reflect the reality of a diverse world.

Rochester Indymedia: Have you talked with other teachers in Greece about this phenomenon and your situation in particular? What are their reactions?

John Niles: I've talked to many other teachers in the Greece Central School District about the lack of African American full time teachers in the district and my situation in particular. All of the teachers that I spoke with believe that the district needs African American full time teachers. Others are profoundly disappointed and appalled by the districts ostensibly racist hiring practices. Moreover, most teachers find themselves participating in a wall of silence around this issue for fear of reprisals from school district administrators.

Rochester Indymedia: Is having zero African-American full time teachers simply an unfortunate fact or is it part of a larger context of racism in Greece schools?

John Niles: Not having African American full time teachers in the Greece Central School District is the direct result of systemic and institutionalized racism predicated on race priviledge.

Rochester Indymedia: What can the community do to help you and to improve the situation in the Greece school district?

John Niles: The community can help by coming out to support us in our efforts to dismantle institutionalized racism in the Greece Central School District by writing to school board members, the superintendent of schools, school administrators, teachers,and elected officials expressing their disapproval. In addition, community members must speak out against these atrocious practices at upcoming rallies and demonstrations. Moreover,they can come meet with us this Wednesday May 06, 2009 at 6:30pm at Spiritus Christi Church located at 121 North Fitzhugh Street between Church and Allen streets. (Down the street from Rochester City Hall) Furthermore, those who want to give monetary support can send whatever they can afford; $1.00, $2.00, $5.00, $10.00, $20.00 or more to John Niles' Legal Defense Fund c/o Myra Brown Spiritus Christi Anti Racism Coalition SPARC at 121 North Fitzhugh Street, Rochester, New York 14608. Feel free to contact us at MyraB@rochester.rr.com or Mbrown@choiceonemail.com or jniles2@liberty.edu