Tell Georgia Elementary School Teachers: Racism and Math Don't Mix!

  • by: Care2.com
  • recipient: Jose DeJesus, Principal of Beaver Ridge Elementary
Third grade students from Gwinnett County, GA were blind-sided with the promotion of racist ideas from their teachers. Students were given math problems that said things like "If Frederick got two beatings per day, how many beatings did he get in one week?"

The teachers in question claim that they were attempting to merge social studies and math together. However, there is simply no excuse for the insensitivity of these questions. Casually introducing slavery and violence without proper lesson plans doesn't teach kids social studies or math -- it just confuses them.

This blatant act of racism is clearly unacceptable but Gwinnett County school district is not taking it seriously. Teachers can use social studies in math problems without invoking slavery or racist violence. Demand for the suspension and re-evaluation of teachers responsible!
Dear Principal Jose DeJesus,

Third graders should not be taught about slavery through math problems. Under no circumstances should the promotion of racist ideas be tolerated in the classroom.

These math problems did nothing to teach children about America's history. Instead, they brought back feelings of anxiety into the homes of these students; feelings that derive from the South's racist past.

(Your comments here)

The teachers responsible for this must be kept accountable for their actions. I urge to suspend the teachers responsible and re-evaluate their positions in the school.

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