Elementary School Celebrates Black History Month by Having Kids Play Runaway Slave 'Game'

[sheshe2]

snip

According to a letter obtained by The Root, a physical education class for third, fourth and fifth-graders at Madison’s Trust Elementary School in Ashburn, Va., recently featured the original version old-school hide-and-go-seek. The instructor split the children into groups and had them run through an obstacle course that was designated as the “Underground Railroad.”

snip

Plus, pretending that racism literally might kill you is fun. Sure, the black kids already learned that valuable lesson in another class called “Every Fucking Day” but for white kids, trust me, Confederate Freeze Tag is tons of fun.

The Loudoun Times-Mirror reports:

In at least one instance, an African-American child in the class was designated as a slave for the activity, according to Loudoun NAACP Chapter President Michelle Thomas, who said she’s heard several complaints from parents regarding the activity.

“Obviously, he’s the only one that’s black, he’s the only one that could have ever been related to someone who used to be a slave, and imagine him carrying that stigma all through school,” Thomas said.

Thomas later clarified that the student may not have been the only black person in that class, but she said the student was at least among a small number of black children participating in the ‘game.’

Read More: https://www.theroot.com/elementary-school-celebrates-black-history-month-by-hav-1832825716

Wow. Just wow.

"David Stewart, the principal of Madison Trust, issued a letter to parents basically saying: “My bad,” and calling the lesson “culturally insensitive,” which is an interesting way to spell “racist.”"

[Blue_Tires]

1. Wow... And I thought fuckin' Lee/Jackson/King Day was bad...

That was always an weird day in school to see all three men on the same bulletin board

[marble falls]

2. That should never have gotten past the "I gotta idea" stage.

[sheshe2]

3. No kidding!

Yikes.

[marble falls]

4. No doubt about it, some of us need a constant internal interlocutor!

[Chemisse]

5. Maybe it could have worked if the 'slave' was picked at random

by a teacher who carefully made sure the one chosen would always be white, AND if the classmates were there to help him get through instead of to chase and catch him.

Even with all that, it's probably too close to the nerve to touch, especially by a teacher who is so insensitive to the feelings of her students.

[sheshe2]

6. Actually, it was three teachers.

Can you believe that? Three thought it was a great idea.

[Chemisse]

9. Yikes! Clearly this school needs a more diverse faculty. n/t

[guillaumeb]

7. Recommended.

What year is it in Virginia?

No, first, what century is it in Virginia?

[sheshe2]

8. Century is the better question.

Dear Goddess!

[erpowers]

10. Field Trip

They should have just taught the kids about the Underground Railroad. They could have even taken the kids on a field trip to one of the stops on the Underground Railroad. By one of the stops I mean one of the places runaway slaves stop along the way to freedom in the North. I know the Underground Railroad was not a real railroad.