Mock Slave Auction at Elementary School Leaves Parents Enraged

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By Kody Fairfield

Parents at Maplewood Elementary School in New Jersey are up in rage after they found out that during a lesson on the history of colonization and slavery, a 5th grade class held what is being called a “slave auction,” reports CBSNewYork.

Typically, teaching colonization and slavery is already a touchy subject and it should be approached with heavy regard to factual representation. However, parents like Tracey Jarmon-Woods became very upset when she found out that mock slave auctions were being utilized to teach the matter.

“There was a sale of a black child by white children in the classroom,” Tracey Jarmon-Woods said, “If you’re demoralized — sold on a block in 2017 — it may affect you the rest of your life.”

A mock slave auction earlier in the month was hotly discussed during after school pickup outside Jefferson Elementary School, and later at a board of education meeting, reports CBSNewYork.

“I’m disgusted, really disgusted a child was bought. That doesn’t make any sense,” one parent said.

“We’re always in damage control, and it’s getting absurd honestly,” student BOE member Filip Saulean said.

According to a statement sent home to parents, the usual teacher was out for the day, and a substitute is responsible for the mock auction.

“The activity was not part of the curriculum, not part of the teacher’s assignment, not condoned by the classroom teacher, and not authorized by the district,” the statement said.

Superintendent Dr. John Ramos addressed this incident and another at the school, regarding posters which also spoke to slave auctions, saying, “There was no intent to be provocative or demeaning,” he said, “The context is important to know.”

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