Racism in the classroom

[Nikose Tyris]

I've mentioned previously to some that one of my classes features a racist professor; Several students [i.e. 25 out of 40 students] have approached me to ask for help complaining.

I'm exploring all resources possible to get assistance to write this letter as clearly as possible; I'd appreciate anyone's input to making sure this letter is as serious as possible.



TO: Alvina Cassiani, Dean, Business School
CC: Ercole Perrone, Executive Director HSF
FROM: The class of BACC 100
DATE: March 4th, 2011
SUBJECT: Gina Fernandez

Good day to you. We hope this letter finds you well. We regret that we will be writing on such a negative topic this day. A number of situations have come up that have left the classroom feeling negative and instilled a feeling of fear in my classmates. We've decided to make the effort to reach out to you, to settle this issue.

Ms. Fernandez has made inappropriate and racist comments to the class. Her words in class have prompted an atmosphere of discomfort and hate. In the student handbook, we are told that Humber prides itself on being a respectful environment that is free from fear; her words have made students uncomfortable and further discouraged the attendance on the part of the students of Indian heritage, and any attempts at questioning or polite discussion is met with snappish or demeaning replies, in the vein of, “Well, you can think that, but you're wrong.” and “I don't have time for this.”

The most prominent of her racist remarks were directed at an Indian student with an accent [his accent was thick, but he was understandable to myself, seated at the far side of the room from him]: “I know you people normally talk like 'hurburburburburburburb', but in my class you need to speak slowly, clearly and in English.” [The noise in quotations was her opening her mouth, letting her tongue lol about in her mouth and making a cry similar to cartoonish depictions of Arabic individuals]

The students face was ashen and the class was mostly silent after this remark. Classes following have furthered our belief that Fernandez has a bias against foreign students. This discrimination is unfair, and some of the class has taken action before this letter; Jennifer Villa has withdrawn from the course this semester in personal protest to the mistreatment this class has received.

This is not conducive to learning; when students successfully understand and apply their knowledge of the materials, to be penalized by a professor's lack of organization.

Of a less dire issue are the following two issues:

- Fernandez is consistently late, between 10 to 15 minutes after class is scheduled to begin.

We are expected to arrive and attend classes regularly and punctually; we attend to learn and participate in class discussions, and paid a fee for this privilege. We are entitled to a professor who is punctual so that we may meet our educational goals, or that provides a justification or forewarning that she will be late. To date, Ms. Fernandez has offered no apologies nor explanation for her tardiness or absences. The class feels we have been deprived of opportunity and time to seek assistance and aid in subjects we do not understand.

- Fernandez is consistently unorganized and unable to maintain an organized teaching method.

It is difficult to learn from a professor who does not teach from a perspective of knowing the material; it is made more difficult when the professor assigns homework verbally only, or hidden from easy access or view. To cite example, The monopoly homework sheet, attached: It does not require us to purchase houses, but she became irate with our table when we did not. It also did not adequately explain all actions or how actions were to work.

She later assigned, verbally only, to take a 10% withdrawal from equity and cash from the business; this information was not updated on a handout, nor sent out over blackboard. The only reason several students learned of this was a discussion on blackboard where another student asked for definition.

In summary, we feel that Fernandez does not follow the standards that Humber College promotes:
“Unacceptable Behaviour refers to any disruptive, unreasonable or irresponsible action or inaction which interferes with learning, health and safety, the reasonable comfort of others, or which creates an atmosphere of fear. Such behaviours will not be tolerated in the learning environment. Members of the Humber College Community are entitled to expect certain rights to be recognized. In turn, all Members are accountable for their behaviour. Responsible behaviour on the part of all Members is fundamental and essential to ensure an effective learning environment.” [From the Humber College Employee Resources located at http://hrs.humber.ca/employee_resources/conduct.php]

we feel this situation can only be rectified by one of the following solutions:

1) Non-Penalized Academic Withdrawal with full refund for this course in this semester, retroactive to Jennifer Villa; Including the non-refundable fees charged.

2) An apology to the class from Gina Fernandez in which she demonstrates that she truly regrets her actions, as well as gratis re-enrolment for all students in BACC 100 over the summer.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this letter.


Sincerely,

The class of BACC 100