Conference teaches teachers, judges to discard color bias

El Paso County Judge Regina Walter thought she was a paragon of fairness and reason on the bench.

But eight years later, during a professional conference, she had a disturbing epiphany: She was biased.

That self-realization compelled her to devote herself to promoting education as a way to prevent minority youths from being sucked into what she calls "the cradle-to-prison pipeline."

And that, in turn, inspired her to help lead an "Educating Children of Color" conference, which will bring together hundreds of students, parents, teachers, social workers, juvenile justice professionals and children's advocates in January. Registration is under way through Dec. 5.

"The point of the conference is to learn better ways to empower youth so they'll avoid crime and live a life of scholarship and productivity," she said.

In helping youths, whether it's in the classroom or through human services or the juvenile justice system, advocates must become aware of their own unknown prejudices or assumptions that impede children's successes, she said.

"I thought I treated everyone in the courtroom the same, regardless of race or ethnicity," Walter said.

"I realized, if you were an African-American male and came into the detention center on a crack cocaine charge, that I assumed you were dealing drugs and you wouldn't get treatment or out of detention. But if you were a white male on the same charges, I assumed you were using drugs, and would get evaluations and treatment, and get out of detention."

She returned to work and organized the Disproportionate Minority Confinement Task Force in Colorado Springs. It has morphed into the Fourth Judicial District Minority Overrepresentation Subcommittee of Best Practices Court, a collaborative effort among juvenile justice, human services and child welfare placement agencies. The subcommittee is sponsoring the January conference.

Walter said that in the courtroom, she sees the dismal results of failed policies, too-little-too-late help, or no help at all for minority youths and others.

In her 21 years on the juvenile bench, she has usually insisted that youthful offenders go back to school as part of their rehabilitation.

At least 30 percent of all offenders don't have a high school education, regardless of ethnicity, she said.

"Every year I have had kids come back to me who say, ‘Thank you for making me get my education.'"

Troubled students are often hindered from success by wrong assumptions on the part of well-meaning professionals.

"In schools, these kids are often typed as not being college material and aren't given the opportunity to succeed ," she said. "Parents don't know how to advise their kids; teachers often spend their time with the college-bound and don't think about directing poor-performing students."

Cayth Brady, a student services coordinator at Harrison School District 2, knows what Walter is talking about. When she attended the first Educating Children of Color Conference last year, it set her back on her heels.

"I really felt uncomfortable because they were challenging our assumptions and experiences and how it impacts how we work with youngsters. The sessions pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses," Brady said.

In its first time at bat, the conference produced several success stories, including Dulcenea Egan, who is Hispanic and a freshman at Mesa State College in Grand Junction. She attended at the urging of a friend who told her there were lottery drawings for scholarships.

The oldest of five children, she feared she would not be able to go to college.

"I desperately needed money. My father lost his job. I was on a constant search - letters and letters - to find enough grants and scholarships. I didn't think I would make it."

She was in shock when she won a $1,000 scholarship in a drawing at the conference. Now she is studying pediatric nursing.

"I hope to be the first in my family to get a college degree."

Information
WHAT: Educating Children of Color
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 10. Registration is taking place now through Dec. 5; call 444-5722 or e-mail dianaschulz@elpasoco.com.
WHERE: Harrison High School, 2755 Janitell Road.
FEE: $20 for professionals. Event is free for parents, foster parents, group home staffs and teens. The fees go directly to fund scholarships that will be given to students attending the event.
KEYNOTE: Mychal Wynn, nationally known author and educator.
TOPICS: Poverty and brain development; college support and preparation; English learners and immigrant children; educating black, Latino and American Indian students; small business opportunities; gender issues.
CREDIT: Continuing education credit available at no cost.
WEB SITE: www.educating childrenofcolor.org

Contact the writer: 636-0371 or carol.mcgraw@gazette.com