From MyFoxAtlanta.com:
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – Some Gwinnett County parents are furious over a third-grade math assignment that contained multiple references to slavery.
Once question asked, “Each tree had 56 oranges. If eight slaves pick them equally, then how much would each slave pick?” Another question asked, “If Frederick got two beatings per day, how many beatings did he get in one week? Two weeks?” A third question in the assignment asked how many baskets of cotton Frederick filled.
Is this inappropriate or just plain racist? If your child came home on this how would you react? Play the video below to see the full story.
Third Grade Homework Assignment Contains References to Slavery: MyFoxATLANTA.com
C. Robinson says
It appears the school district is attempting to dismiss this assault of emotional racism intended to instill fear and provoke anger into our children. Tell me, would the teachers have developed math question pertaining to the Holocaust, or the imprisonment of Chinese Americans in America, or the annihilation of the American Indians? I believe this was a deliberate attack to degrade and insult the African American community, (and of all places-the school districts in the southern states where slavery began). Shame on these teachers, whom we trusted, to be an example of a respectful human being before our children. The sad part, this inborn/inbreed racism cannot be washed away. Question is: how many of ‘them’ are in our school systems?
Michelle says
If the district officials have found a way to justify this then I would not be surprised if they also justified the foul treatment of these other subjects as well. By allowing this they’ve essentially left the door wide open for everyone to turn these subjects into jokes. yeah…. really funny. It’s crazy. Just crazy.
Alturrick says
Don’t understand how they refused to project and see this question as racially insensitive and the norm for helping students understand math. The district’s response is inaccurate…the company used to develop the story & questions went under departmental review and was awarded based on the recommendation by the district. I hope the company will be identified in order to minimize the damage in other districts.
Michelle says
Uhhh… Did I just read that? THIS is completely inappropriate. COMPLETELY. Why would a teacher even write that down? You can easily generate these same sort of math equations with standard word problems. Why did they even change these word problems to this theme. Whatever the motivation, the outcome is well… sick. Really? This is a SERIOUS laps of judgement and the teacher should be held accountable. As a teacher and a parent, these scenarios are tacky and offensive and I would have complained to the principal and reported them to the superintendent.
Harsit Garg says
Thank you
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