Wisconsin teachers put on administrative leave after asking students how they would 'punish' a slave
Source: Business Insider
salarshani@businessinsider.com (Sarah Al-Arshani) 28 mins ago
Sixth graders at Patrick Marsh Middle School were asked to determine how a slave should be treated as part of an assignment on ancient Mesopotamia, CNN reported.
"A slave stands before you. This slave has disrespected his master by telling him, 'You are not my master!' How will you punish this slave?'" the assignment read.
The assignment said the answer was "According to Hammurabi's Code: put to death."
The Code of Hammurabi is the oldest and most complete written legal code. The 282 rules that make up the code include harsh punishments and concepts like an eye for an eye.
Sun Prairie Area School District did not reply to Insider's email request for comment, but in a statement sent to parents said they were investigating the incident, WMTV reported.
"We deeply regret that this lesson took place, and we also recognize that this was a breakdown in our curricular processes and our district-wide focus on equity," the statement said. "In addition to immediately addressing this situation, it is important that we commit to changing our curriculum and professional development for all staff."
Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/wisconsin-teachers-put-on-administrative-leave-after-asking-students-how-they-would-punish-a-slave/ar-BB1dpmfj?li=BBnb7Kz
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... the key is that this is an assignment on ancient Mesopotamia. However, I don't recall how/if recall Hammurabi's Code was taught in our sixth grade curriculum. I have CA K-12 teaching credentials. When teaching sixth grade, I don't recall ever departing from curriculum... there are so many required, recommended, and suggested questions - you don't have to come up with any by yourself. And, frankly, teachers don't have a lot of extra time! I would assume this question is from the WI state curriculum and in text form somewhere... they should look at the appropriateness of the wording, and consider the grade level.
I've attended classes and have read a great amount of African American History. From the Atlantic Slave Trade, to Sanctioned Slave Patrols, to Jim Crow Laws, and to celebratory public lynching. And yes, the U.S. had it's own Slave Codes since the colonies.
There's so much to learn, at age 54, I'm a continuing student. I and many others believe that the "true history", including America's greatest sin should be taught in school as a full curriculum and NOT as a mere chapter from a common U.S. History book.
[link:https://bluevirginia.us/2020/08/governor-northam-announces-launch-of-new-african-american-history-course|
The question, "How will 'you' punish this slave?", was inappropriately ill phrased. When it comes to looking at the immoral history of slavery, genocide, and the maltreatment of another human being, NEVER put the student in the role of the perpetrator. It might have been better to rephrase the question, "How will 'a Mesopotamian' punish this slave?"
Is it age appropriate to teach Mesopotamian History? I do recall being taught the history of ancient Rome, Greece, and Egypt at that age. They all had slaves. Yes, children at that age need to start learning about mankind's crimes against humanity, including the crimes of the U.S. The effort to end white supremacy and inequality begins with our children and our schools.
How can you begin to understand an individual's inequities without understanding that individual's history? 
