Rethinking Urban Education Vignette: Will I Get into Trouble? Negotiating the

Cheering and applause erupted from the 10th grade humanities classroom in celebration of Barack Obama’s election to the presidency. After a short discussion, co-teachers Mr. Fisher and Ms. Perry divided the class of 43 predominantly Black students into two groups for Socratic seminar.1 Mr. Fisher reviewed the seminar protocol-call each other by Mr., Ms., or Miss and last name, do not interrupt, and do not shout out. I followed Mr. Fisher’s group next door.