Uber Bad Taste!

I would be willing to bet that they were thinking hard about the 'science' of teaching and not very much at all about the 'art' of teaching.

The science of teaching would tell them to relate their math and their social studies... The art of teaching would have them consider the emotional and psychological impact of what they create on the children they teach.

Slavery is -- as it should be -- horrific to children and to adults who have not compartmentalized it in their mental 'history' box. We sometimes do not realize the effect it can have on children.

A few years ago I was using our usual history book -- one with exceptionally good pictures as well as text -- to discuss slavery with my fourth graders. (NO -- we do not sweep it under the rug. We discuss it in a way that nine year olds can hear and understand.) Mind you, this was a book that many classes of fourth graders of varied ethnic backgrounds had used and discussed and understood in an age-appropriate manner.

That particular year, two of my African-American girls became terribly upset when they saw the illustration of slaves being brought from Africa on a slave ship. It showed people crowded on the ship, and it showed the slavers on deck forcing the slaves to walk, to eat and to drink. One slave is jumping through torn rope netting to escape. It is accurate without being too graphic. But it was too much for those girls.

I walked outside the room with them and we talked about it. After listening to what they had to say, I promised them that they would never ever have to look at that picture again, even if I asked the rest of the class to look at it. I explained that it is important for me to teach what happened to African people who were brought here that way -- it was a terrible thing but we must not forget that it happened. They agreed. They were relieved with the solution, and there were no further problems.

So even when you are being very careful about the kids you're working with, you can make mistakes. One mistake these teachers made was thinking about the math and not thinking about the implications of what they were writing.

Was it because they themselves don't understand the depth and breadth of the horrors of slavery? Would they write similar problems about the concentration camps in Germany? Were they seeing history as an unconnected subject, in that compartment of their minds, objective and not subjective? Just a bunch of facts as opposed to the real suffering of real people? Somehow "bad taste" does not completely explain this....

You know, morrigan, I was a teacher and I agree you have to teach to avoid repeating horrors. You are off target here, though, I really believe. That happened in Georgia. I don't see anything that would be taught by normalizing those actions by making them into math problems, and really, I would be seriously surprised if this wasn't something totally different than teaching math. Why would anyone ask a child about how many beatings someone got? I live in the South and I know the layers put on racism, and I am really sad and frustrated at what I hear most days. I really doubt they were teaching that slavery is awful or anything to do with math:(

For extra credit:

9 racist teachers send out 5 resumes a day for 5 days. What is the maximum amount of rejection letters that can be written in response?

This doesn't surprise me. I went to the old Capital Building in Atlanta and spent time walking around it and looking at all the monuments. There was one for Jimmy Carter that was 9 ft tall. There was one statue for a General of the Confederate Army. A number of trees planted in honor of the soldiers that died for the confederacy, those were giant trees that blocked the light and the sun of the one, puny little 2 x 2 x 2ft granite stone, that sits in the behind the building, where nobody goes, marker for all the slaves that died from slavery. It made me hate GA. I was treated well by everyone there, regardless of color, but for the state to have such little reverence for those that brought the state great economic wealth, at the price of their freedom, their health, and their lives, it just doesn't make sense.

Hey, no need to get upset, it's just the south baby. Come on, 9 teachers thought this was a good way to teach math????? Please,, don't make us think 9 teachers and not one considered this just might be upsetting to black children? NINE? Nope, that dog don't hunt.

lets update this Georgia word problem ...If a farmer has nine illegal alien slaves picking his field 18 hours a day at a dollar an hour, how much in taxes will they pay? Sounds like Georgia has a long way to go to grow up.

I live in NC not GA but some of you people still offend me. I don't know if you know this but slavery was abolished in ALL of the of United States including the south. We "got over it" a long long time ago. Feel free to come here and check. We do not own slaves. There are no slave pens or slave quarters or public whipping posts or slave markets. All of that was done away with ages ago and later generations grew up horrified by them. Don't blame what a few nut jobs and good old boy politicians do on everyone that live in the South. They make us as sick as they make you. Stop being so holier-than-thou. There are lunatics and corrupt politicians in every state. When your state is perfect and everyone is without blemish then you can start throwing stones. We may not be perfect but neither are y'all.

Slow news day?

What is wrong with putting history in with math? The white man was the first slave and they overcome it and are very proud of what they have become. That is what is wrong with our world today is that everyone carries their feelings on their shoulders and want to sue for money instead of earning a honest living.

Shuklack

An adult shouldn't be telling another adult how to refer to their parents.

I'm 60 years old and my parents will forever be my 'mama' and 'daddy'

Kjun,

what a despicable comment. It is hard to imagine that there are more people out there like you. U directly contribute to suppressing the greatness of this country with such attitude and support.

two of my African-American girls

Huh? You have two daughters that are dual citizens? If you are referring to two of your black students then why not refer to them as such? Do you refer to your other students as German-American, Irish-American, Mexican-American, etc?

the state to have such little reverence for those that brought the state great economic wealth,

How about the celebration of MLK in January? That day is dedicated to the fact that he was a black fighting for equality. When is the day recognizing a white or any other race that fought for equality/justice/etc? How about the month of February being Black History Month? What other race gets a whole month set aside for recognizing their racial heritage? It doesn't happen because that would have the al and jesse screaming racism.

Amazing, the hateful comments from the bigots on this blog.

They represent about 20% of the Republican base, no wonder we are seeing a bunch of idiots on the roster.

Maybe they are hoping George Wallace will rise from the grave and become a Republican.

amazing that seriously there are a few of you idiots in some way trying to defend the actions of the teachers? For example KJUNME - really? saying it happened generations ago so 'get over it'? But then saying it is the damn yankees that would have a problem with the ignorant method of teaching? Look in the mirror moron - the "yankees' WON. The south LOST. But hey, get over it - it was generations ago. The truth is - much of the south never got over it. Sure, slavery is abolished. But the jim crow laws are something that much of the racist south wants to get back in some fashion. People are people, regardless of race. The scum whites of the south that are inner racist sicken me. Yes - I am a 'yankee' in NY - I am white - and I am a champion for the underdog. FIRE THE TEACHERS. There was no incorporating of the social studies to help students learn more about both subjects. It was a blatant attempt amongst themselves snickering thinking it was funny to use those offensive examples. ANYONE reading this and thinking bad thoughts and siding with the racist side - email me. I will suggest a place we can all meet and discuss this. Bring your sheets and crosses - I will bring open minded defenders of justice of all races. Keep your sheets on like usual to hide though. Cowards.

Hey everyone, wanna play a game? It's called "Let's Spot the Racists!"

Oh, I can see one...two...three...

When is the day recognizing a white

Washington's birthday, Lincoln's birthday...

Or are you looking for a Timothy McVeigh day

Mike-2402514

For extra credit:

9 racist teachers send out 5 resumes a day for 5 days. What is the maximum amount of rejection letters that can be written in response?

Mike... none. No-one is capable of reading and writing any longer.

Seriously, the "teachers" in question need to be retested for their "teaching" certificates.

No where did I see a black slaves. The slaves could have been white. Yes there were white slaves throughout history! Slavery probably started in Africa well before America was discovered by Europeans and Africa still has slaves.

I agree teaching must be interesting to keep the attention of younger students so why not try this math question. Bush II wanted oil for profits and needed to invaded Iraq. The generals told him that 5% would die and 10% would be wounded and 15% would need medical care for the rest of their lives. If he sent 100,000 to conquer Iraq how many are dead, wounded and need care for the rest of their lives?

we can do it - You are right about the racists around, and you appear to be one of the narrow minded. Funny how you can NEVER be a Democrat and racist, right? (BTW, to combine History and racism training, George Wallace was a Democrat before becoming an Independent to run for election in 68) I guess all the law enforcement officers in the South who turned dogs and hoses on protesters in the 60's were not registered Democrats. I guess all those who said they were voting for Obama because of the color of his skin were more racist than those who were voting against him for the same reason.

Bottom line, if you wish to see pure racism in action, look at so many of the comments on this and other stringsfrom folks like drewrichards. But I guess in some limited definitions of "racism" it is okay to belittle others who you feel are "wrong" as long as your heart is "pure".

Here's an easy one: Of these nine teachers, how many are Black? (If your answer is more than zero, you've likely missed the first question).

Second question: Of these nine teachers, how many have at least a four-year college diploma? (If your answer is less than nine, you've likely missed this question).

Of these nine teachers, how many have the mental capacity to think? (If your answer is greater than zero, you've likely missed this question).

-- Knowing the typical Board of Ed response, these "nine nonthinkers" will likely get a slap on the wrist and ten hours of mandated sensitivity training (conducted by non-Black pedagogues)...

this sounds like a math problem by santorum or newt.

Incredibly dumb teachers. How could they think this was socially acceptable.

bill-1260019 "this sounds like a math problem by santorum or newt."

Or a campaign opportunity for Obama.

Isn't it nice that we have a 'post-racial' President.

It could be argued that Obama's 'class warfare' against the 'rich' is a form of reverse racism. Perhaps that's why racial animosity has become much worse under his watch?

The 'politics of division' may be good politics for Obama, but it's a sad policy for bringing people together, which is what Obama promised us when he was running for President.

One more promise broken.

The realproblem is that in Georgia they prefer the term "voluntary labor" to "slavery."

Obama has nothing to do with this. Get a grip.

Gotta love the folks that try to say this is the fault of one political party or the other. Those folks must see the insidious fingers of whatever political party they disagree with behind every bad thing that happens. Rains on their parade? The fault of those jerks in the other party. Got the flu? Ridiculously bad taste questions on a math test? Darn those politicians!!

Seriously, this has nothing to do with politics, and everything to do with some really bad judgement by an educator.

Dick-2100935

No where did I see a black slaves. The slaves could have been white. Yes there were white slaves throughout history! Slavery probably started in Africa well before America was discovered by Europeans and Africa still has slaves.

Don't forget the Native Americans who were slaves or the Native Americans who owned slaves who were white, black, Native American, or other races.

I might have missed it, but did the teachers write their own questions or where they from a textbook or workbook to use?

ROY WILSON

It could be argued that Obama's 'class warfare' against the 'rich' is a form of reverse racism. Perhaps that's why racial animosity has become much worse under his watch?

it's pretty racist to assume that there are no blacks among those 'rich'. oh and you don't really have to point out that the 'politics of division' is a bad policy for bringing people togeether, it's implied in the name.

kjunme

Only a damn Yankee would have a problem with that way of teaching. I am just wandering when is going to be banned to say slavery even in history lessons.

and only an ignorant redneck would confuse walking around(wandering) with thinking about something(wondering).

<We Can Do It>, your comments highlight what is wrong in this country. Stating that racists make up "20% of the republican base" is .... wait for it ... PREJUDICED.

You seem like one of the type of people in these United States that craves division. For as much as I don't like the current Tea Party, to me, you are on the exact polar opposite on the political spectrum, just as determined as they are to stonewall and block progress towards the whole of us citizens of the US working together to better our country.

So I'll just give you a big sarcastic "THANKS, MATE" and won't ever take another one of your posts seriously.

... freakin' troll ...

Appears many of you on here still don't get how offensive this is and how it perpetuates the institutionalization (racism) of prejudice against an entire group of people. You might say we abolished slavery a long time ago so get over it. To those I would say we did not eradicate the ideology of slave ownership, or racism, and you cannot undo the longterm consequences brought about by 400 years of injustice, which we are still witnessing today.

How many of you think your job is done when your child is born, not many, I would venture not any of you. The same is true for 400 years of slavery. Slavery brought about longterm consequences for America and we have only begun to scratch the surface and got a wiff of its putrid odor.

Due to teachers unions, this is what we have teaching our children.

lsgyrl-479 "Obama has nothing to do with this. Get a grip."

Neither did Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich, but the lefties jumped right on them.

One thing not asked in these cute little Math Quizzes: Of the nine teachers, how many are NEA/union members? How many have tenure? Why would I bet on the answer of "nine" for each.

And it has little if anything to do with unions. Certainly NEA would not consider those questions acceptable. Georgia Teachers Association? I would guess they would not approve, either.

What it probably does have to do with is NCLB. So much of the time and resources available to teachers must be spent on test prep. If anyone scratched the surface on this, there would probably be some connection -- even if it was indoctrinating teachers on testing but neglecting to give support and advice on things that don't get tested -- like creating math problems that aren't offensive.

Bob-304573 - I'd agree with you if it weren't for the "blah people" comment by Santorum, and Newt thinking he needs to urge black people to get off welfare. That statement implies that all black people are on welfare. Google it and you'll find more examples.

So NFIL, you subscribe that because of past comments, you can blame them for every illogical comment made by anyone else? Using your "logic" the Congressional Black Caucus should be held accountable for Kaye West's comment about George Bush not liking black people since they have said worse. Using your "logic" Charley Rangle should be attributed to agreeing to racists comments made by "Rev" Wright as Rangle has made racially insensitive comments before. Maybe you should google "LOGIC" before you make such comments.

how about...if the underground railroad frees 14 slaves a month, how many slaves are freed in 8 and 1/2 months? don't think they saw that one.

stupid choice of an issue in a story problem, but the tone was also one of showing the abuse and exploitation as business as usual.

didn't notice that didja shirley.

(intended to post in response to shirley below)

I think Shirley is correct and if you look below you'll see my reason for it. However, I do think it was in bad taste to put slavery questions as math problems. It doesn't really have anything to do with math.

What ever happened to using apples?

they didn't say ni@#^rslaves did they. I bet you parents didn't have problem when the history lesson was a bout the first thanksgiving dinner on how many turkeys where cooked and how many legs where on the table.

Liberal here who supports public education. I say fire each and every one of them.

The fact that Atlanta is predominently African American, does not negate the fact that Georgia has a long history of disenfranchising this population. In fact Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas are the Fantastic Four of racial discrimination in the South. The tone is subtle, but the actions are unmistakable, take a look for example at the concerted nationwide initiative going on right now by TeaPubs to disenfranchise, all people of color Hispanics and Africa Americans alike at the ballot box.

It appears the days of competing on substance has been surplanted by 'any means necessary'.

First off I'm amazed they are even talking about slavery in Georgia. The problem is that white people want to talk about slavery or the jim crow era when they want to crack ignorant jokes. Tell me shirley, what place does slavery have in math? I can undestand Social Studies but the wording of those problems in Math is ridiculous. What's next, how many slaves can you fit in a slaveship? I'm sure someone like you wouldn't have a problem with that obviously. It's easy to joke about things like that when your ancestors didn't have to suffer through it.

Shirley, are you kidding?

Wow, you really are an imbecile.

Shirley

Certainly children should be taught the truth about slavery, but this math homework does not further that end in any way. When these Southern children actually get to the period of history where it would be appropriate to discuss slavery in its try context it is more likely that the slave trade will be presented as the euphemistic "triangular trade" and the beginning of the Civil War will be presented as a "states rights issue".

don-

God, don't get them started on the "states rights issue"!

Shirley - get a life. You are now officially "part of the problem"...

Shirley, you need to read it again. They were not discussing Slavery. They were assuming it as math questions. Not brilliant and Uber-Offensive to anyone who believes that Slavery anywhere is bad.

I admit, they probably ought be fired or at least checked to see if they truly hold a degree.

It's easy to see who hasn't been trained as a teacher on chat board tonight... Many, many districts participate in integrating a unit of study across all subject matter...i.e., these students may be taught songs the slaves sung - in music class, play games the slave children played - in PE, art may be the creation of freedom quilts (yes, I know there different thoughts on those, too). Not pleasant material to have to cover - slavery, but one that is oh-so important, as it IS still practiced in the United States. Young women have been found in sexual slavery in my own city...foolish of anyone to try to deny the horrors of it.

Shirley makes a good point - regarding the holocaust. Who on this chat board would deny the horrors of it? And almost 40 years later - I still have vivid images etched in my mind from the unit we covered when I was in elementary school. This unit also is integrated across all subject matter...remind me why no one is upset about that?

People are missing the point that we are teaching our young people about history - and often it is horrific. The point is to learn it, learn FROM it, and hopefully, never repeat it ourselves.

So by your logic using the sex trade as an example, it would be okay to ask students how many johns a typical 14 year old sex slave could get off if she/he serviced 3 johns an hour for 16 hours in a tyopical day.

Get a life before your ruin someone Else's.

48.

Do I get a gold star?

And yes, the teachers who used slavery as a topic for math are utter morons.

Putting the issue of slavery in a math quiz trivializes both subjects - but even worse, it makes the issue of slavery in the antebellum South a business issue, not a moral travesty.

You are really getting your panties in a tiz fighting amongst one another over all of your retarded, yet serious comments. I dunno, if you can't see the humor in this, then the human race has problems. If you can't at least poke a smile at something retarded we did during our development, then you may need a lobotomy.

I understand your point that this isn't exactly math material for a word problem, usually it's something about Sally leaving her home to go meet Joe so they can go to a 'movie' in the parking lot. Then, using a right triangle and the distance formula, calculate the time it takes for them both to get their groove on.

Shirley does really have a point though. If anyone talks about anything concerning Jews or African Americans, everyone goes ape@!$%#. I think we need to give the teachers a little slack here because GA is just a craphole. I used to live there and everything people say about a southerner is true.

What's sad is not Shirley's insensitivity but rather that she has 9 other concurred with her...does this make Shirley the de facto Village Idiot?!

J. Camp: Sounds like questions only a New Yorker would know, especially question 5. I would have to agree with Shirley. You are changing history if you do not expose children to the truth about what happened in the past. There is an old saying, that those "who don't know history are doomed to repeat it." Stop giving children the PC view of life. They are more likely to deal with reality when you don't.

If children are old enough to learn about slavery, then they should be old enough to hear about all the aspects of it.

OMG! Let us all comment on how insensitive Shirley is but J.Camp sounding like a violent psychopath is just fine. And as so many are trying to make this a racial issue, it's a fourth grade class that just read a book on a famous abolitionist and the teachers were trying to tie it in with math. While it may be in bad taste, there's something wrong with the media and too many people making a mountain out of this molehill. They haven't and probably won't release the race of these teachers, but if they do and their white, so many of you will feel so smug. But what if their black? Slaves were kept in all parts of this world, throughout history, of all races. Unfortunately, it's a part of history. My prediction, if the teachers are white they may release their race. If black, the media will try and hide it.

What the deniers of racism refuse to recognize is the mean-spirited intent--referring to human suffering as nothing more than an inconvenience requiring a mathematical solution. These are the types of racist jokes "good ol' boys" would snicker over when I lived in the south. Racism is a tradition rooted in slavery, and traditions die hard. Both good and bad, they are passed down through the generations.

The tradition of racism--disrespecting, hating, feeling superior to--began with slavery; for how could any man treat another with such contempt and brutality, unless he was truly led to believe that the slave was less-than-human, an unclean beast who deserved to be beaten and broken.

The curse of slavery--racism--will haunt us until we rid ourselves of this obsolete tradition.

@Gr8esto - apparently you have never heard of indentured servants. Alot of WHITE Europeans who came here were infact indentured servants. Or perhaps you forgot about the reason people settled here - avoiding religeous persecution. And apparently, while slavery in all forms is attrocious, lest we forget the original collectors of the slaves were AFRICANS themselves who sold their brethern into slavery, ironic that caucasians catch hell for that too.

The issue of what happened to our ancestors, 3 -8 generations ago, does not, in any way shape or form give anyone any right to try and hide, sugar coat, or otherwise attempt to rewrite the history as it happened. The issue of inequality amongst not only races, but sexes today permiates in main stream media, with our politicians, and even within society itself. Things like the Black Caucus threatening to boycott and cause a ruckus, (remember ole Chucky "House ways and means chairman" Rangle - who got caught cheating on his taxes. ANYONE ELSE would be in prison for evasion. How about the NAACP? How about how politicians "target" the latino vote, or the black vote, or the woman vote? Whatever happened to OUR CITIZENSHIP defining who we are?

While slavery, and segregation is disgusting, immoral, and sickening, don't we suffer the same segregation even today? The same stereotypes? Acrossed ALL races? It is the "victim" attitudes that people have over things they themselves NEVER suffered from that perpetuates the problems. IF there was an organization called the National Association for the Advancement of Caucasian People, or the White Congressional Caucus, wouldn't the label RACIST be immediately slapped on it? But yet, not an eye is batted when the shoe is on the other foot. How about those college scholarships or those business grants geared specifically toward minorities, women, native Americans? Or affirmative action? ISN'T the individual's Merit more important than their race or sex? Are minorities MORE DESERVING than anyone else? Isn't that, in and of itself the same racism people are complaining about now?

Remember the story about a person wanting to do a scholarship like that for just Caucasians. Immediately he was labeled a racist and law suits were filed. HYPOCRICY is what it is plain and simple. Maybe THAT is what should be taught in school. That it is perfectly ok to have a racist view so long as you are a minority, and anything someone says or attempts to teach you, IF YOU ARE OFFENDED BY IT, you are immediately right, and that person is in the wrong.

People wonder why we have the problems we do. Perhaps we should concentrate on being Americans, and not Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Women, or Natives. Maybe when we start sharing the SAME heritage, and OUR HERITAGE as AMERICANS is rich and full of successes and failures, and NOT some garbage about 8 generations ago, then perhaps we as a country can start working towards what makes this country great. Aren't WE ALL deserving of the Dream, the Promise, and the Opportunities this country provides?

Think about that...

@Will. You bring up a common talking point which is the reverse racism charge. Please try to understand that because of systematic racism such as jim crowe laws, redlining, requiring minorities to pass voting tests, and ghettos (to name a few) have worked to force these communities into low income situations. All of this resulting in poor communities that can't afford a high standard of education for their children. America looked at this and at the peoples will (with racists and bigots objecting) they created affirmative action so that a student that showed they were able to learn (and wanted to) but didn't have the same money as the middle class suburban kid, could get a college education. Don't forget the government basically backed out of the 40 acres and a mule thing and haven't given much to the African-American population besides that. Since whites predominantly control business and the media here, African-Americans have had to work extra hard to get their voice heard. That's why they created things like Ebony Magazine and BET, and can you blame them?

Reverse racism isn't a real thing. Bitterness and hatred for white people, sure I believe it, but after the stuff white people have done to them, I'm sure they have pleanty to be upset about (if you don't think so read about the Tuskeegee Syphilis Experiment, spoiler alert: it's not about flying planes). But then the Latino's also have their channels and their products. Does that make Latino's racist? No, it's about their communities talking to themselves, and establishing their identities (of which white people did a good job of trying to destroy).

You may have heard of indentured servitude, but you obviously know nothing about it, if you think it equated with slavery. Indentured servants were paid a wage, taught a trade, and were free to go after 7 years. They weren't given new names or forcibly sold away from their families.

Sorry, Shirley et al, but there's a time and place to teach about slavery, and math class isn't it. These word problems trivialize a horrible and shameful period in our nation's history. If you can't see that, you need to go back to school.

Shirley, all classes should be taught in an age appropriate way. That math lesson was not or nver would be age appropriate.

Van Helsing, white Europeans as well as native Americans were slaves as well. The Natives would make war with other tribes, and whomever won sold their prisoners of war to the white people, just as Africans sold other Africans to white people. This is not necessarily a race issue, though it is very much there, it is an issue of disrespect for human life and a lack of humanity.

flbikerchick, not all of those indentured servants were released like they were supposed to be in the time they were supposed to be, nor were they all paid, the whole point of indentured servitude was that their passage to the new world was to be paid for by a patron and their repayment was the servitude. Not all of those more wealthy white people were ready to give up a free servant after the allotted time span had been covered. This is why many fled to live with the Natives, so that they could be free.

The tradition of racism--disrespecting, hating, feeling superior to--began with slavery

Then how do you explain the slave trade that existed in the Greco-Roman eras? Do you really believe that those were volunteers that built the Egyptian pyramids? The slave business had less to do with race hating than it did with the business aspects. The slaves were a marketable commodity that were bought/sold as part of business ventures.

Slavery is tied to race because the people happened to be easy to over-power not simply because they were a different race?

Some ask what race are the teachers, what difference does it make? It's not like it's any less stupid. cause stupid is as stupid does.

Shirley (and some others),

I'm sorry but I think that you are missing the point.

The point is not that teachers integrated two subjects. Nor that slavery is discussed. It's not even about their age group. The point is that the specific questions posed to students were completely and totally irrelevant and insensitive. This shows a HUGE lack of judgement on the educators' part. I am appalled that they asked how many beatings one slave would receive in a week to illustrate a multiplication principle! I am equally disturbed that people's minds work that way to come up with such questions.

I would not want questions of that violent nature put to my child, pertaining to slavery or not. They are exposed to enough mindless violence in this society, and it and racist connotations have no place in an academic setting. I had hoped for more progress in our society, only to be disappointed with unbelievable stories such as this one.

Claiming "reverse racisim" is just another form of....wait for it....RACISM!

Unfortunately flbikerchick, racism today is alive and well. We also have those who feel that they have the freedom of speech to insult whom ever, however they want without any consequences for their actions. After all children are just little adults, they should be strong enough to handle it. After all, it teaches children to tear down other people to make themselves feel good about themselves which we ALL know is healthy for them. If they are not strong enough then this will surely toughen them up and make them strong!!!

Compulsory schooling has been, from the beginning, a scheme of indoctrination
into the new concept of mass man, an important part of which was the creation of
a proletariat. According to Auguste Comte (surely the godfather of scientific
schooling), you could create a useful proletariat class by breaking connections
between children and their families, their communities, their God, and
themselves. Remember William Harris's belief that self-alienation was the key to
successful schooling! Of course it is.

http://www.school-survival.net/articles/school/history/The_tyranny_of_compulsory_schooling.php

Self-alienation is all part of the psychological game plan, I am not surprised by this behavior at all. These teachers are teaching what they have learned. They are only perpetuating the cycle of abuse.

Shirley,

It's not about teaching the kids about slavery, or about the Holocaust, or any other moment in history. It's about the inappropriateness of the use of the information. These kids were learning about slavery, its not that that moment in time was being hidden from them, they already got the lesson. It did not have to be put into a math problem. It wont make them learn any more about the history or make them understand it any better to present the word problems presented. If they really feel the need to incorporate it into every subject then they could just have easily said something like Tom picked 4 bushels of apples for Master Smith in 2 hours...etc, and I highly doubt it would have still been offensive, but still would have integrated the history lesson into the math lesson. People just don't think. It's like the teacher not so long ago that decided to separate her class into slaves and masters and put all the black kids as slaves. Just inappropriate. I would be considered white by the color of my skin and I find it despicable that anyone thinks these types of things are OK. When they do a lesson on the Holocaust are they going to do the same thing with math problems then, or lessons about any awful event in history? How about the current wars...Private John killed 5 insurgents and also killed5 innocent women and children during one raid and 2 babies during another raid. How many innocent people did Private John kill? Shirley, if the slavery question seemed A'OK to you than I am sure that you wouldn't have a problem with that. Or how about Corporal Dan was killed in action on the front line in Afghanistan, it took 2 days for his death to be reported to the senior officer and another week for it to be reported to the family. It took 5 days after that for his remains to be flown to the US. How long was it before his family was able to bury him?

It's one thing to teach history, it is another to put the children in that moment by such a question. Is the current wars any different because they are more current than slavery? Shouldn't be...both still very tragic, unfortunate and unnecessary cruelty and death.

fissilemissile

... African-Americans have had to work extra hard to get their voice heard. That's why they created things like Ebony Magazine and BET, and can you blame them?

Blacks and Latinos are allowed on MTV, VH1, in magazines, and in pageants (Mrs. America, Miss America, etc). How many white women/girls have you seen in the Miss Black America, Mrs. Black America, Miss Latina US pageants? How many white artist do you see on BET? I know there may be a few, but it is mainly black. If a white group tried to start a White Entertainment Television they would be in trouble for racism.

BTW - I was turned down for scholarships because I wasn't the right race. Maybe I should have hired a lawyer.

That tired old argument needs to be given a rest.

Pulease!

The discussion on this thread reminds me of the old "Huckleberry Finn" thingy. In that novel by Mark Twain, pen name of Samuel Clemons, the world was given one of the most powerful protests against slavery the world has ever known in any language, in any culture, in any time. Clemons did it basically by the use of the very technique shown here. By painting slavery in a very casual way, he was able to show its utter depravity. Its evil in all its rotten glory! Its corrupting effect on, otherwise, good people! Yet, for generations, now, some Black parents have gotten themselves in a twit about the novel's very liberal use of the N word, demanding censorship rather than the praise it truly deserved.

Meezermom-

I'd be ashamed to post such drivel.

Meezermom, when I went to school slavery was barely mentioned. And it was in the context of "some slaves were treated badly, but most slaves were treated well and were happy." Is that what we want to go back to?

Slavery is an abominable blotch on our history. Yes, other people had slaves too. That doesn't make it right. Most of our Founding Fathers, many of whom did own slaves, realized that slavery was an evil -- and they did not want to permit the ownership of slaves in the newly forming United States. In the end, the slavery issue got left out of the Declaration of Independence (... all men are created equal?) and it got a promise (no new slaves to be imported, OK to buy and sell here) and a compromise (one slave was 3/5 of a man) in the Constitution. It is important for students to know these things -- and it is good when students become angry about them.

African Americans today ARE still burdened with the consequences of that time. Among the worst of those consequences is poverty and all that it entails. There is no simple solution. But your rant makes me think perhaps you've understood it only on a very superficial level...

My ex-boyfriend's grandfather was a slave owner in the 1800's and up until about 5 years ago when the (long-deceased) grandfather's house burned down, you could still see the tiny rooms where the slaves were kept along with the shackles they had to wear - including little toddler and child-sized shackles!

It was completely devastating to even think what they and their children had to go through, let alone know that so many people had to suffer with such an existence.

Anybody who doesn't want to believe that this period in American history is an absolute abomination truly needs their head examined.

@Morrigan - Poverty strikes all races. The color of your skin does not preordain you to living in the lap of luxury. And lest we forget AFFIRMATIVE ACTION - that little tidbit that forces hiring based on race, rather than merit. Do we also have our blinders on to current events, where more and more people are living in poverty?

I grew up in the projects. Poverty is not some preordained condition due to your race. It is a matter of choices. The choice to either go to school, or hang out on the streets. The choice to steal, rob, rape, do dope, sell dope, murder, or be law abiding. The choice to go get a job or live on welfare. The CHOICE is down to the individual, not their skin color.

Do you realize that 1 in 2 American families now sit below the "poverty line"? I know quite a few caucasian War Vets that live under bridges, get their meals from dumpsters, and rummage through trash bins to find clothes that would disagree with your assessment. The same people that sacrificed for OUR freedoms, living more poor than poverty. You see, THEY don't get a welfare check. You have to have an address or a bank account to get that. Perhaps you would be more enlightened if you just took the time to take a jaunt down to your local homeless shelter, or soup kitchen, or hell just watch the "bag ladies" wandering around your town. I am sure you will see quite the mix of races... Just food for thought.

Will the Watcher---

What you fail to realize is that living below the poverty line is far from any "lap of luxury." What you have truly failed to realize is that affirmative action didn't require companies to hire people who lacked job experience or were otherwise incompetent. They had to meet the same performance criterion as every other employee. Are you serious? Yes, you are and that's the scary part - you actually believe that hog wash you've posted, here.

Affirmative Action simply made it possible for people who were QUALIFIED to get hired at certain places and to get admitted into certain schools. Before Affirmative Action, it didn't matter how qualified people were or how intelligent; in too many instances, they were flat-out told "We don't hire your kind."

So, in your haste to defend the indefensible you've twisted and turned the facts. If rank racial discrimination wasn't being practiced in the first place, there never would have been a need for affirmative action. Affirmative Action has never meant that UNQUALIFIED people would be hired or admitted into institutions of higher education solely on the basis of their race; people always had to have the aptitude, or - no hiring - no admission.

If you need to distort the truth to make a point, then you might consider that you really don't have a valid point.

No wonder we are still having this discussion 150 years later. It is not the fact that they are talking about slavery in school, it is that they are TRIVIALIZING it, and the beating of humans that are being used as livestock. By using this type of word problem, especially with very young children, you are effectively telling them that it's ok to own slaves and beat them when they dont odey you. No where in the word problems did it say slavery and beatings were a bad thing, they simply used the terms in a business sense, which desensitizes children to the real issue.

I know the GOP wants to drag us back to a time when slavery and corporal punishment was legal but it aint gonna happen.

DougCoe22201: BINGO. The issue is not combining history and math in a word problem, the ISSUE is how the problem was worded in such a way as to trivialize the issue of slavery.

Several comments here suggesting that "pretty soon we won't be able to SAY the word slavery if the damn yankee liberal leftists have their way", BALONEY. NOBODY is suggesting that the topic of slavery be suppressed, in fact it MUST NOT BE SURPRESSED OR SUGAR-COATED if we want to avoid repeating THAT mistake. But then again I wonder, it seems a growing segment of our society WANT to learn NOTHING and instead REPEAT OUR MISTAKES (I'm looking at the ignorant right wingnuts wanting to "take our country back").

Oh, and for those pointing out that George Wallace was a democrat, LOL. That is about as ignorant as claiming Lincoln was a republican and embraces the values of TODAY's republicans. Parties change. Unfortunately for the GOP, they changed for the worse while the Dems changed for the better.

Sorry, doesn't cut it! Slavery in this country ended more than 150 years ago and Affirmative Action blacks act like it is still happening. They demand their 40 acres and a mule while forgetting what AA has gotten for them. They do not have any intention of getting past it. They demand that the Jews forget about the Holocaust because it wasn't any big deal and there are Holocaust survivors still alive today. One race's pain and suffering is not more important than another. AA is the worst thing that could have happened. It has done more to destroy black culture and family than anything else. There is no longer a strong black family, today it is baby daddies and standing on street corners waiting for handouts. Education means nothing and the more educated a black student is, the more s/he is cursed and demeaned by his or her own people. Wallowing in slavery as if it was the only thing that mattered is wrong. Slavery must not be what defines a person. And throwing handfuls of money at people because their ancestors were slaves is just as wrong. And that is what they want. Another excuse to sit around and do little except make more babies. Slavery should not be what makes defines and makes a race proud not should talking about it make them ashamed. It is in the past and the students should learn to discuss it and use the poorly thought out lessons by these teachers to speak up. Students can and should speak up. And was anyone from this board in this class? News is no longer reliable as it was. We only hear snippets of news and not the whole story...

@Tortcots - and you prove my point. Affirmative Action is indeed a systemic RACIAL policy, thus benefitting one race over the other. THAT is where we run into the problems we have. IF both applicants are equal, the same level of education, the same level of experience, ect., the MINORITY gets the job. WHY? Because of their race. Ignorance Tortcots is failing to identify racism is a two way street. When it benefits a minority, ALL is fine and good. Benefit a caucasian its Racism. People tend to forget history isn't always pretty, nor is it always fair to everyone. But stop and think about it. Racism as defined by Websters is Discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race, thus preferrential treatment based on race that benefits a minority is in fact RACISM.

What you also fail to realize is that race does not preordain ANYONE to poverty, or committing crime, or drug or alcohol abuse. Aside from poverty, all of those things are matters of choice. Poverty unfortunately is a common disease of society that is dependent on economic factors and affects ALL of us. I grew up in a community where caucasians were the minority. The difference, instead of hanging out on the street corner selling dope, breaking into houses, running like a bunch of thugs, I chose to go to school. When the other kids were smoking dope and boozing it up, I took my happy self to the library. When they were entertained with stealing, I got a job. I had no different opportunities available to me than any other "poor black kid". It was a matter of choices. The jobs I got, most of them were working for minorities, not because I was the token white worker, but because I applied myself. I attended the same school, used the same library, played in the same street. And guess what. I improved myself, explored the same opportunities available to everyone from that neighborhood, and moved on. And race had nothing at all to do with that AMBITION.

I think Will's point that poverty affects all races is valid. I'm sorry if my post gave the impression that I was saying that it doesn't. My point was that for poor African-Americans, much of the poverty they are experiencing is in one way or another the legacy of slavery. That probably isn't true for other poor people.

Meezermom, clearly your experiences have influenced your point of view here. I have no doubt that you have seen some of the things you are talking about. But your conclusions are way off. People (of any backgroound) who are not feeling successful tend to look for a reason -- or an excuse.

A reason explains things. An excuse is trying to get off the hook. Slavery is a fact. It is a reason for the still-downtrodden conditions that some people have to live with. It is not an excuse for us to allow those conditions to continue.

I guess Meezermom isn't ashamed to post such drivel after all.

Just plain STUPID.

Case in point, the GED Teacher that posted right after me. HEIL!!

LouisJ LMAO..

Leave it to the liberals to put down the Tea Party when this has absolutely nothing to do with that. No wonder you and your president vote the same. Both of you have absolutely no focus.

Ok I admit it.. Im not that smart of a guy.... But what exactly does " I'm certain they'd agree since they enjoy the ejumacayshenal entreeg of slay vurry" mean? I will admit I went to the dictionary on those fifty cent words.....And even the dictionary was puzzled. Not one definition was found, matter of fact I even googled the saying, Only result that came back was to the original posting above....Yep even google had no clue what you said...I mean when google only comes up with 1 result...WOW. So please enlighten the rest of us apparently under educated folks just what the hell you are talking about!

@JustanotherVeteran:

"ejumacayshenal entreeg of slay vurry" = "educational intrigue of slavery"

(I had to think about that for a sec myself)

You also teach in Georgia, right?

How can you be a GED teacher without a GED? There is a spell check on here. It's the the button with the ABC check mark.

Hebrew slaves didn't build the Giza Pyramids, moron. The Pyramids are at least 4500 years old; the Hebrews weren't enslaved by the Egyptians until after 1800 BCE.

Of course it wasn't part of the "canned curriculum" you pathetic imbecile.

So all of that makes slavery right????

You're an idiot if you think Hebrews built the pyramids in Egypt. Also, you insinuate that Hebrews were white. No where in history are those premises/claims supported. If they would not worship those idols, why would they build them. Read the Bible dummy. Also, if the Hebrews were stark white, why did so many (like Moses and Joseph) blend in with Egyptians who were definitely black? I'm not saying they were black... Just saying that no one can assume. You were not there.

This whole incident is ridiculous. Those teachers deliberately 'incorporated curriculum' in a way that was condescending and malicious. They should be fired no matter what. This is a disgrace and outrage. In Georgia racism is so prevalent (and from this post's comments, it is apparent that racism is still widespread) and they absolutely know better. How sad that so many children have to be taught by people that hate them and wish nothing good for them. I can't wait for the day when all wickedness will be wiped from the earth.

@ GED Teacher: How does skin color factor into the slavery issue? And how does the fact that there were slaves of all skin colors throughout history all of a sudden make the math problems acceptable? Just curious how your little mind works.

MarkC-3886135

Of course it wasn't part of the "canned curriculum" you pathetic imbecile.

And HOW do you know that? I haven't read if the teachers made the worksheets or if they are part of the curriculum. I have asked the same question and have received no defiant answer.

Think before calling others names because name calling doesn't make you look smarter.

Thank you Patriot. I knew all white people were not bad and incapable of understanding others.

As a white, conservative male...I think this was wrong. You can teach about ALL aspects of slavery in history class; there was no need to do it in a math quiz. Secondly, all of you who knee-jerk to the politics of this, ie. Tea Party, etc., do you know whether or not these teachers are in the union? You are calling for their firing...if they're in the union, good luck with that!!!!! It is for reasons like this that I OPPOSE unions, especially teachers' unions.

Perhaps that's a little bit excessive.

Maybe they should whip them?

If they try to secede again, I say we let them this time.

Secede? Heck, they want to take over.

But then you lose out on all of those taxpayers.

I have news for for all of you northerners. I work construction and have worked with a lot of northern people and have come to the conclusion that over half of them are a whole lot more prejudice than we southerns.

kjunme ----- Scarlett O'Hara made a similar remark in GWTW.

Go to any UAW factory...some of the biggest racists I know are UAW factory workers! And yet, they all seem to be Democrats!!!!

I don't know about Mike, but I think you are full of it.

Just another example of the our "dumbed down Americans". The scary part is they're the teachers.

Let me see its OK to talk about condoms at 8 am but not at 9 am. Come on now.

The teachers may not be racist but they sure are stupid.

I agree with Tina that they might not be racist, but it was a very stupid decision on their part. I like the idea of integrated studies, but these questions were in very poor taste. Math word problems are supposed to teach children about how math can be used to solve every day problems by presenting hypothetical situations, but math questions about beatings and fruit picking is disgusting and does not address the educational function of a word problem. I just hope the kids who were subjected to this horrible assignment will not be turned off of math for life.

Eurydice: I agree. As I stated above, some topics are not conducive to integration across the curriculum. While our children should learn about slavery, it is a disturbing topic. I share your sentiments; I hope these students will be able to separate this appalling assignment from math.

Really... OMG... I hope the children aren't scarred for life and....and, from now on if they get a bad mark in math it will for sure be because of these inappropriate math problems!

While I do agree that the teachers used poor judgement....and in no way condone this crap, let us not jump off the deep end and assume that the children may somehow be scarred for life because of it. Holy Crap HennyPenny the sky is falling! That kind of attitude is what perpetuates this evil that should have been laid to rest centuries ago! While slavery is still very much alive in todays world and it is an ugly, ugly thing when it rears its ugly head....I feel that it is grossly overused as a crutch. The idea that anyone is owed anything because of something that happened 200+ years ago is absurd. I am in no way racist towards anyone....but in the same fact you are not owed anything in todays world... get out and make something happen for yourself! EVERYONE is entitled to Life and the Pursuit of Happiness regardless of race, creed, color, or sexual orientation...Life is what you make of it today...not a product of things in the past! And to insinuate that these poor children are somehow scarred for life because of this is pure stupidity! My God, I can see the lawsuits lined up now! Another way to use the race crutch to get something for nothing! I Call B.S!

Give me a break!

Just to let you know, I am a NYC public high school global history teacher. ABSOLUTELY I talk about the history of slaves; how the word comes from "Slav" who were white slaves, how the Irish were slaves and even slavery today, be it in Africa or even in the US (illegally). I'm sick and tired of everyone always blaming teachers based on a few bad apples. It's obvious that these teachers should be fired; fire them for racism or fire them for stupidity, but fire them and get them the h*ll away from the kids who obviously deserve much better. However, do not use this incident to assume that all teachers are idiots or racists. We have those like any profession does unfortunately but thankfully the majority of us actually care about our students, are not racist and are knowledgeable about our subject matter.

Good for you , most teachers are afraid to teach true history here.I know I was around 20 when I learned that slave traders didn't hunt slaves, instead it was tribes "POW" that where inslaved by other tribes.Yes we can look back and because of history(true) and know it was not right but we also need too know all races have been inslaved or at least in part.For one race to claim that they where enslaved and only them , is to be a race that does not know true history or wants advantage.

LEARN THE HISTORY/LEARN THE FACTS

Hello Nicole, I think what you said is pretty much on the money. Having being the lone black kid in most of my schools I can tell you my teachers bent over backwards to accommodate me. 96% of the teachers I had were hard working people who loved their job and worked hard to help kids become adult. The rest may they never put their hands on their teaching degree we lunatics.

I can't be sure what was going on in their mind when they wrote the problem. At best they where naive to the point of stupidity. They don't represent all teachers who we should be giving our support to because they are helping our kids. These teachers need to have sometime to reflect about this mistake. Any other job and there would surely be some repercussion.

Brain for a people to say that all men are created equal then slap it in the face with slavery, is a mockery of words. I know my Irish history, and you know Ireland is still a pretty messed up place because of it's history. Before you go talking about other people and ethnic groups because there is only one race of man, tell me what country isn't screwed up by its history. Ridiculous, people spouting things they have investigated little in. Don't cliff note history or social science.

Reminds ME of a young black boy who accidentally strayed into the "Whites Only" part of the beach in Chicago several years ago and was drowned for his mistake.

Reminds me of Black Panthers standing outside a voting place with clubs, threatening white voters.

Reminds me of Black Panthers preaching that blacks have to kill white babies.

Just saying....

Tina, Chicago? Whites Only? I don't suppose you can reference that can you?

I know that there is crime in America, but hate crimes are against Federal Law. So, for a little bit of America, we are trying to move into the future and NOT keep up this constant "Victim" mentality.

While I think that the math questions were beyond stupid, I would have to say that the responses from a lot of people here are just beyond stupid.

It started the Race Riots in 1919... simple googling would educate you further.

Other sources say he accidentally drifted across into the white section. How can a person swim back if he's being pelted with stones?

Thank you, AllWillBeNew

1919??? Wow...some people really are living in the past.

When Tina said "Several Years ago", I thought this was something that happened recently, NOT almost a HUNDRED YEARS AGO!!!

GOOD GOD, LET IT GO ALREADY!!!!

How old are you? I blame my on the keyboard ;-)

See it should have said "mine" not "my"