Slavery Lesson at Alabama School Draws Fire
By: WSFA
Updated: February 21, 2013
(WSFA) A Montgomery, Alabama mother says her child's teacher went too far in teaching a Kindergarten class about slavery.
"The verbal assignment was to ask your parents if you ever go back into slavery. And I asked him to repeat it, and he repeated it," said Jamelle Young, whose child is a student at MacMillan International Academy. "That's not a question you ask anybody, let alone a five year old."
Concerned, she emailed the school's principal and spoke with her child's teacher.
Young did not want her child identified.
"Slavery is taught throughout history in just about every grade level,' the principal wrote. "Although it is an ugly part of American history that none of us care to remember, it is important for children of all races to be aware of it to gain an appreciation for the diverse community in which we live today."
In her mind, the principal did not believe the teacher meant to offend. She said the slavery discussion came up after students were told about Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman and other figures in history, and had questions about slavery.
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