It is with a heavy heart that we report on an incident that took place in a Houston-area high school. A history teacher reportedly used a Black student to discuss selling slaves during class. This is an absolutely unacceptable use of a student in the classroom, and it highlights the need for more sensitivity and awareness when teaching about such a sensitive topic.
The incident took place at Kahla Middle School in Houston, where the student was allegedly asked by the teacher to stand up and be “auctioned off” as part of a lesson on slavery. The student’s mother Tori Ards spoke to a local news station ABC 13, saying that her daughter was “humiliated” by the experience.
Many feel that this incident is just another example of the racism that still exists in our society. Some are calling for the teacher to be fired, while others are calling for more sensitivity training for all staff members.
It’s clear that this incident has struck a nerve with many people. The question now is how will the school district respond? Will they take action to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again?
The school district released a statement saying they are investigating the incident and taking appropriate action. They also said that they do not condone this type of behavior in the classroom. This is a deeply troubling incident, and our thoughts are with the student and his family.
In the United States, racism has always been a factor in education. From segregated schools to the achievement gap, race has played a role in how students are treated and what opportunities they have.
This is just one example of how racism can impact education. It can create an environment where students of color feel unwelcome, unsafe, and like they don’t belong. This can lead to them feeling disengaged and disconnected from their schooling, which can result in lower grades and test scores. Additionally, racist attitudes and behaviors can make it difficult for students of color to build relationships with their peers and teachers, further isolating them.
Racism not only impacts individual students, but also the entire educational system. When students of color are pushed out or left behind, it creates a larger achievement gap between White students and students of color. This contributes to the cycle of poverty and inequality that plagues our country.
It is simply not enough to tell educators that they should be “sensitive” when discussing these topics. We must provide them with the tools and resources they need to ensure that their students are learning about history in a way that is respectful and informative.
We owe it to our students – and to ourselves – to make sure that our schools are places where all students can feel safe and respected. Only then can we truly learn from our history and move forward as a society.
