Holding Onto My Sense of Self in Deeply Conservative School

Hello all, I've only been in the education system for a year after working from home for years. I am a blue dot in a red state, which is bearable on a daily basis because the family who surround me all have similar values. I've lived internationally and went to a liberal fine arts school across the country, both of which really opened my eyes to the struggles of minorities in this country.

When I started at my current school last fall, it was a bit of a culture shock. I knew our district had been sued for racism that had led to a student un-aliving herself, which was very tragic, and I knew they'd been forced to take steps to deal with it, which I think they declared "fixed" recently. (Haha.) It is not fixed.

A couple of the educators I work directly with seem pretty racist and it has taken a toll on me in certain ways. I'm white, so I think they think I'm a safe person to vent to? One teacher picks on any student who isn't straight, white, and religious, and then the students in her class who are being picked on will come to me, as I think (hope?) I feel safe for them. She has said things like a girl in a hijab was a "huge waste of resources," (the girl is SO sweet) has kicked Latino boys out of her class and vented to me (in front of other kids) that he "doesn't belong here!" and has opined to me that a girl in a revealing top was probably morally loose (no evidence to suggest that) because she "doesn't have a father in the home."

Another teacher seats the boys of color in the back of her class and then just mostly ignores them. They seemed really relieved when I paid attention to them and would help them with their work, confiding in me that the teacher and the other aide never help them. She has commented to me on the side the they are like "gang members"--which is totally laughable. They are boys of color but they are clean cut, play football, etc. Furthest thing from gang members I could think of.

I have tried to be a safe space for these kids, which has made me popular with the kids who don't fit the typical mold, and I think this has made the other teachers jealous, maybe? I just know that it has caused some problems with them accusing me of favoritism, or not having good enough boundaries, or being too soft on them, etc. (I'm just a para right now, but I want to become a teacher)

My question is, I want to get into teaching. I love these kids. But I'm discouraged by the headwinds. The district says it wants to have all these anti-racist policies, but the minute someone actually lives them, it seems I'm punished in subtle ways, if that makes sense. (The other day I was forbidden from working with any Latino boys and told I wasn't being strict enough with them) I don't know how to hold onto my humanity and my values when it feels there is so much stacked against me. It is also so soul-sucking and discouraging to see what these kids are stacked up against.

Any advice appreciated.