helping the helpers

Since Saturday, I've been in Virginia assisting in giving workshops on Structural Racism to a national organization that works on individual relationships with low-income minority students. Although the organization is something like 20 years old, this is the first time they have included a structural racism frame within their organization. And, while some of the participants "get it" - most do not. 

To me, it can be analogized to this basic standardized test question:

Fill in the missing number:

2, 4, 6, 8, 10, _, 14

a) 2     b) 12     c) 34394343.394

And, you know what most people choose? answer c. 

....

instead I'm surrounded by people spouting the "official" language, blaming the children for their racialized "deficiencies" or being upset because we're not applauding them (read white people) for saving our poor, dirty, backward children of color from themselves and their fucked up families.

now, what i find most discouraging is the fact that these are the very people who are dedicated, or at least working 35 hours a week, to children and to closing the achievement gap. now if these are the people who are helping our youth, how can any real change be affected? it only makes the problems seem bigger. the outlook bleaker. 

I addressed some of the issues of the white liberal savior and their pursuit to save the poor black kids in my thesis. what's going to help? and in what position can I position myself to be the most effective?