Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/under-a-mi/5024937/
Mason was born in 2011. This brilliant Black boy, now 7 years old (and wants all to know he is almost 8), enjoys all school subjects as a second grader. He is very advanced in reading and math and takes these classes with fourth graders. He is the youngest student but is as tall as [his] older second-grade classmates. While his main teacher recognizes Mason’s academic skills, she frequently devotes more attention to his behavior. Recently, two older White classmates were teasing Mason, making fun of him for being the “baby” in the class. They were pushing him in the hallway. His response: You are just jealous because I am smarter than both of you. The teacher(s) did not witness this exchange.
During recess, the boys continued the teasing and pushing. Fed up, Mason pushed them back. His teacher observed only what Mason was doing (ignores the actions of the other boys), and reported him to the office without talking to the boys. When accused of being a bully or instigator, Mason retorts, “This is not fair, I only pushed them because they pushed me first!” Confused and frustrated about why he was being singled out, Mason feels that all ...