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Kenneth ClarkKenneth Clark
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Session:         Page of 763

schools were doing in helping children to adjust to a world of diversity of peoples. But they didn't. They seemed quiet or intimidated. I wasn't too proud of my colleagues in education during this period. By the way, there were some exceptions.

Q:

You're talking about exceptions among your colleagues?

Clark:

Among educators. There were a few educators who said, look, let us try to make this a positive educational experience for all children. But that was not the dominant position.

Q:

Would you say that that was because-- in addition to some implications you just made in that past comment-- but would you say that that was largely or partly because they themselves were somewhat racist, albeit perhaps unconsciously so? Or do you believe also that it was because they just didn't feel they knew how to cope with the changes coming on?

Clark:

A number of things. They didn't have the power or didn't perceive themselves as having the power. They were more sensitive to the political resistances and political officials. And School Board members, who are elected or removed in terms of their position on this issue. Superintendents of Schools had to be careful about their jobs in terms of their public stance on this issue. As a social psychologist, to me it was a disturbingly consistent example of conformity. I was going to say





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