Sigh. 12-year-old African American girl forced to pretend she was a slave for class field trip

[kpete]

Sigh. 12-year-old African American girl forced to pretend she was a slave for class field trip
by Meteor BladesFollow

You can watch the news coverage here. WFSB 3 Connecticut

And read about it here:

During a Nature’s Classroom field trip organized by Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy last year, a 12-year-old black girl was forced to pretend she was a slave as part of a historical reenactment. During the simulation she was called the N-word, chased through the woods, and threatened with physical violence including whipping and cutting her Achilles. Nature’s Classroom has been criticized for this same reenactment in the past, but continues do it.

Now, Sandra and James Baker—the girl’s parents—have taken their complaints to the Connecticut School Board and the Human Rights Commission after 10-months of trying to get an apology from their daughter’s former school. Other students who went on the same trip were recently debriefed, and described being similarly horrified by the experience.

MORE:
http://colorlines.com/archives/2013/09/parents_complain_after_child_forced_to_reenact_slavery_on_a_field_trip.html
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/09/19/1240054/-Sigh-12-year-old-African-American-girl-forced-to-pretend-she-was-a-slave-for-class-field-trip

[RebelOne]

1. I hope the parents have hired a good lawyer.

If it were me, I would sue that school.

[Scuba]

2. Racism is not confined to the South.

[Supersedeas]

20. well

[TxDemChem]

3. OMFG!

I can't believe people still think these reenactments are okay. They were never okay! Hell, the acts were never OK!!!!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

10. Paula Deen thought so and you see all the lawsuits against her were dismissed.

[TxDemChem]

11. So true and sad

My grandmothers once told me I would grow up in a world where I would see the end of racism. I just hope I live long enough, because we've got quite a way to go. I can't make that promise to my daughter, which is really heartbreaking.

[Lancero]

14. I disagree with them...

But if a adult consents to a reenactment such as this, I wouldn't speak against their right to do so. They want to be threatened with whipping, lashing, cutting, chased through woods, and have slurs thrown at them? Whatever - They are adults, they want to choose to be treated like shit then hey, more power to em.

But to subject a child to something like this? Only a person full of hate and evil would think it a good idea.

[Rex]

4. Racism never dies.

It just finds a way to live on in the hearts of assholes.

[Catherine Vincent]

5. How screwed up is that!?

Hell, why not go all the way. Did they also re-enact the slave master kidnapping and raping 12 year olds too? If that had happened to my child, I would have dropped my quiet demeanor and gone off on those idiots at that school.

[elehhhhna]

6. Paula Deen is a schoolteacher now???

[gopiscrap]

7. this is why you don't have fucking charters!

There is no understanding of diversity or tolerance. All charters are shit! They are designed to be either witting or unwitting tool to decimate public education. That teacher and principal need to lose their certs.

[cordelia]

8. In Connecticut???

[Dawson Leery]

18. There is a nasty minority of subtle bigots in the state.

Upper Fairfield(Newtown area)/Litchfield counties are quite reactionary.

[Precisely]

9. .

[LittleBlue]

12. Shockingly insensitive

Poor girl. Did these "teachers" think for a moment what it's like for a kid to be treated as a slave?

The children in that classroom are being educated by incompetents

[Sand Wind]

13. A total lack of empathy. These 'teachers' are dangerous people.nt

[oberliner]

15. Headline is BS

Headline makes it seems like they singled out one African-American girl and her teachers forced her to pretend to be a slave.

That is not what happened.

The entire class took part in a historical simulation run by Nature's Classroom (which is not affiliated with the school).

The simulation is described by the Nature's Classroom folks to the kids in advance and students do not have to take part if they opt not to.

They have been doing this for many years with school groups (with some complaints and others describing it as a valuable learning experience).

Probably it won't happen any more after this potential lawsuit. So now kids can go back to the important work of prepping for scoring well on standardized tests.

[Jefferson23]

16. Link, please. n/t

[Jefferson23]

21. No link, eh?

Your source which you have not provided is not accurate.

The girl's parents had no idea they would be doing any such simulation, they could not opt
out of something they were not made aware of prior to the trip.

Parents explain controversial field trip
Posted: Sep 18, 2013 8:46 PM EST Updated: Sep 19, 2013 4:21 AM EST

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) -

James and Sandra Baker explained to Eyewitness News what happened during the Underground Railroad reenactment. They also told the full story to Hartford Board of Education on Tuesday night.

To read the Baker's full testimony to the board of education, click here for James' and here for Sandra's.
http://www.wfsb.com/story/23470701/parents-explain-controvesial-field-trip

Prior complaints: Classroom Simulations: Proceed With Caution
http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-33-spring-2008/feature/classroom-simulations-proceed-caution

[oberliner]

22. Link to what?

I'm not understanding what you are asking for.

All of the information I provide is accurate and is in fact confirmed in the testimony you provided as well as the article in Tolerance magazine.

I'm not sure what it is you are disputing.

The girl's parents didn't knew about the simulation, but the girl could have opted out of the experience after the Nature's Classroom folks described what would be happening.

In fact, generally speaking there is always a group of students who elect not to participate in that and other Nature's Classroom simulations and are provided with an alternate activity.

Nature's Classroom's Underground Railroad re-enactment has been going on for many years involving thousands of students.

What is clear, as I pointed out, is that the headline is BS. I think you will agree that this girl was not singled out in any way but was rather part of a group of students who were participating in this activity. The headline suggests otherwise, don't you think?

Edit to add: The statement from Nature's Classroom, linked to by another response on this thread, might help clear things up for you.

[Jefferson23]

24. I asked you for a link to where you received your info, you did not respond.

And bullshit, the girl knew she could opt out..she is a KID!

They had an obligation to inform the parents, period.

Nature's Classroom statement clears up nothing, they deceived the parents and the Hartford school
system may be as culpable, if not equally so.

[Initech]

17. What year is this? 2013 or 1856?

[IronLionZion]

19. Statement from Nature's Classroom

for anyone who is interested:

http://www.naturesclassroom.org/Underground_Railroad_Statement.html

[oberliner]

23. Thanks for posting this

Here's hoping it will get read.