There are two possible ways of interpreting this statement, one of which is racist, and the other is anti-racist. “My race“ could be referring to the white race, the race of the speaker. Or he could be saying that everyone, black or white or Asian etc., instinctively and irrationally thanks their race is superior. I think that’s what he meant by saying “Deep in my heart”, but if so that was a very bad choice of words. It is commonly said that we should “trust our hearts“. The interpretation I am suggesting implies that we shouldn’t trust our hearts, because of the racist society in which we are raised. Antiracist riders like Marley K. and Robin DiAngelo say things like this all the time.

The headlines for this story usually say “Teacher claims white race is superior.” However, if he said “I believe the white race is superior“, he could’ve meant either “ I really think this is true“ or “I merely believe it is true” i.e. I think it is true even though it isn’t. There’s no way from telling which he meant from the News reports.

And this is ultimately why none of this lets him off the hook. The racist interpretation of his words is too obvious to ignore, and he should’ve immediately clarified what he meant if he intended the anti-racist meaning. Perhaps he did try to clarify his words this way, and that didn’t get into the news media. But apparently he didn’t clarify his words (or thoughts) enough. Some teachers like to use provocative paradoxes to get their students to think. A lot of white teachers cluelessly underestimate the pain that can be caused by this kind of provocation.