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Source: The Daily News Columus, OH MARCH 2011 4th Day An Ohio elementary school allowed a black student to play a part as a slave in a social studies history class which landed the school district in some troubled waters. The mother of the 10 year Nikko, Ankea Burton told the Columbus, Ohio tv station that the class was divided in groups of slaves and masters of which her son ended up in the slaves group. The mother was intensly up-set with the play role and felt it was as was quoted by my source "I feel that was totally inappropiate; it was racist and was degrading." School officals said the play was not done as a racist overture but an education tool and that it was not a one-time event done by the social studies classroom. The school's principle apologized to the Burtons and to the school district but reinterated it was only to provide students to learn about American history. Never was it considered to draw empathy or to upset anyone. The principle said he was shocked it raised so much concern since it's been an on going class participation many times before. The student Nikko says he'd be satisfied with an apology from his teacher. Looks like Nikko is a smart young man in my opinion. What do think about it? Was it blown up too much or should there been ways to prevent the mother's reaction to her son's role as a slave? YOUR ...Bubbles...blow oooOOOO!
Posted By: MIISRAEL Bride
Saturday, March 5th 2011 at 10:42AM
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Yeah, it wasn't too well thought out, was it?
I think it was insensitive--and they do owe the child and the family an apology--which was given.
So let's move on.
Saturday, March 5th 2011 at 11:12AM
Richard Kigel
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I posted the news video on this topic, and while the school district offered an apology, I believe the teacher should apologize as well...
Saturday, March 5th 2011 at 3:55PM
Siebra Muhammad
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Thanks Rich and Siebra...so good to know that we can keep a level head and not let matters of teaching civics and other race related topics get so blown up. There was an apology made and perhaps the mother could be informed in the future of her child's classroom activities. Maybe now she's be communicating with the teacher and [visa/versa] on other class sessions if there will be future or similar ones expressed.
Saturday, March 5th 2011 at 5:00PM
MIISRAEL Bride
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Hello to all,
This Black mother's emotional outrage that her 10 year old son played the part of a slave in a school play is why I say that 41 million Black Americans are the most ignorant people of all the races in White America.
Is it not true that Black Americans were plantation slaves and we are the descendents of those plantation slaves? Therefore, what is the purpose for the outrage? Secondly, is it not true that slavery is part of White America's history? So, what is the reason for the outrage?
If Black Americans were a sovereign people on a fertile portion of this continent that we could call our very own country with borders then we would have our own educational system, right. What would be wrong if this same play was enacted using White children as slave masters in our public school system in our sovereign country?
I believe the outrage is because plantation slavery is presently White America's history. However, if Black Americans were a sovereign people then plantation slavery would automatically become Black America's history. Consequentially, Black Americans cannot have it both ways. In other words, the outrage should present the option to this mother the desire to be sovereign so that plantation slavery authentically becomes our history. She would psychologically appreciate the things she cannot change. But, until Black Americans become a sovereign people plantation slavery will always be a part of White America's history.
This mother's action is no more than a crying out to be sovereign free and she doesn't psychologically realize it. It is the same as when the children of Israel cried out to be free of bondage and slavery in Egypt. Black Americans cries out every day and we don't realize that we are doing so, but God and I see it.
So, my point is that this mother is outrage because her inner-conscious mind tells her that her race and she is subjugated and that her son play in the part of a slave is ugly to her. Her outrage is psychologically a crying out to be free. Similarly, as I said if this play was reenacted in our sovereign country in our public schools this mother would not be outraged because she would see the play from a different angle. But, right now she sees the play that her son is inferior. Am I making any sense?
Tell me what you think.
Saturday, March 5th 2011 at 8:46PM
Harry Watley
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Excellent observation Harry!
Saturday, March 5th 2011 at 9:59PM
MIISRAEL Bride
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I think that it's a sensitive issue, but then again most things are with people with a history of being oppressed. If the school has been doing this for sometime and this time around someone got upset. An apology was given and so we should move on. Chalk it up to a learning experience.... Next time ask the parent's permission for their kids to participate by sending home permission slips.
Sunday, March 6th 2011 at 4:57AM
Jen Fad
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who was supposed to play the Slave?
the chinese kid, or the jewish kid, or the muslim kid, the european kid?
---as long as it is Historical it has to be a paganChristian African Slave descentant.
Sunday, March 6th 2011 at 8:42AM
powell robert
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@Jen True that..It makes you also wonder if parents are really aware what goes on with their child at school. The teacher/parent relationship is essential in children learning things of the past and in addition being aware of lesson plans that may cause race issues. Perhaps in all of it the child did learn about the past which may have never been discussed before. The resolution is learning as well as teaching. Great idea about permission slips especially for today's younger parents.
@Robert ..Yes, the lesson was American Civics history it's evident in America Black slaves were once slaves...I view your point clearly.
Sunday, March 6th 2011 at 3:16PM
MIISRAEL Bride
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@ Miisrael,
For me, there are far too many parents who aren't engaged with their children's teachers let alone what their kids are doing in school. Permission slips are necessary in this day and age.
@ Brother Robert,
It's a damned if you do and it's damned if you don't teach Slavery when it comes down to it, but don't allow a Black child to play the part of the slave and don't Black face the White child who is going to play the slave. It's just a catch 22 situation. To be historically accurate, the slave was Black. At anyrate someone has to play the part of the slave. Perhaps next the teacher should play the Slave's role. In this wise, no one will be offended and the kids will get a kick out of whipping their teacher or being mean to the teacher! (lol)
Monday, March 7th 2011 at 2:37PM
Jen Fad
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@ Miisrael,
I think the teaching playing the Slave's part will be a real treat for the kids, eh!
Tuesday, March 8th 2011 at 3:05PM
Jen Fad
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YO! Irma the article stated that this re-inactment wasn't the first time and it has been performed many times before so it's a wonder guess if they do the other kind of plays.... History has'nt' changed but the perpective of what's needed is new actors! We shoudn't forget...but we should remember our own history and develop growth from the past..
@Jen .. Kids would REALLY enjoy it I think! ---Let makes sure the moms don't get into an outrage!
Sometimes mama can lay it out the heavy chains!!!
LOL!
Tuesday, March 8th 2011 at 4:52PM
MIISRAEL Bride
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@ Miisrael,
Let's keep our fingers crossed on that one!
Friday, March 11th 2011 at 1:34PM
Jen Fad
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Questions...has this school ever had an Easter play?...any classes on the discovery of America? ect.?????????(nup)
OR DO WE JUST ELIMINATE OUR OWN HISTORY IN AMERICA?!!!!!?
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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