"You lucky you part my people because I don't fight my people." This was a comment from student to another in a class that I was substituting in. Tow of my students had a brief misunderstanding during class changes and this was how they resolved it. Now I was probably the only person besides the 4 or 5 that were standing around that heard this comment, but it bothered me. We are all people no matter what the race. As a teacher I knew that it was my place to let them children know that the statement bothered me. It wasn't a word it was a statement and the statement insulted both races. We have got to respect and care about one another. I believe that its the comments which promote racism and I feel they are better left unsaid.
How did I respond? After class I went to both children that were involved in the conflict. To the individuals I said,"Are you guys family, are you related?" their response, "No why?" I looked at the both of them and asked them to sit down. I told them that the comment they stated really hurt me. "My people," I told them, "I was really hoping that you guys were related so that I would know that you didn't mean that in a racial way." I told them that all people were the same and no certain "people" belonged to no particular race. I told them that the only 2 individuals that had the right ot even say "My people" were God and the president of the United States. "You guys are only in the 7th grade, you are making choices for your future. Lets get along, its a cruel world and lets don't add to it."
Would I have responded differently? No I don't feel I would have acted differently in any situation. I greatly dislike racism. We are all one, 'United States.' We don't need to allow or promote racial comments especially when its our children. The really don't think about their comments hurting one another the say the things that they hear said at home or elsewhere.

A situation I would be uncomfortable with...
I would probably be very uncomfortable if I had a family who didn't believe in the Lord. This would probably be one of he only situations that would be really hard for me. What would I do? Probably nothing different. I would have to have a one-on-one parent/teacher conference I would tell them that I would work with them in any way possible. I would treat them differently by no means. Discussing our differences on our religious views would be one of the main topics of our discussion. Letting them know that their child wouldn't be treated any differently because of their beliefs would be another main discussion topic. My responsiblitis as a teacher is to make sure that my student is comfortable and treated fairly in my classroom and by their classmates. Another responsiblilty of mine as a teacher and a Christian is to make sure that no judgement is placed upon this child by any individual and to just pray for his family instead of trying to pressure himher. I would have to be really careful as to what movies I allowed this child to watch, I would have to be careful in what I say and what I do. Most importantly I would tell the child that he/she could come to me regardless of the situation and talk about anything. Maybe my actions would influence the child and his family to have some interest in the Lord Jesus Christ.