Pupils given 'highly offensive' homework asking to find three good reasons for slavery

It’s emerged that one school asked pupils to list three good reasons and three bad reasons for slavery as part of their homework.

The private Christian educational establishment Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin - allegedly handed the task to fourth-graders during a social studies class.

One parent told Fox 6 of her “shock” over the “highly offensive and insensitive” assignment.

Tremake Brown-Berry who’s 9-year-old son was in the class said:

I couldn’t believe they sent something like that home.

Not only was my son in an awful position, but the students who weren’t black ― that’s what keeps racism going.

Ms Brown-Terry posted the task sheet on her Facebook. Her son answered, as shown in the post:

I feel there is no good reason for slavery that’s why I did not write.

The school in question has responded to the backlash and Fox 6 said the principle admitted the homework was inappropriate.

Principle Jim Van Dellen said the task intended to spark conversation in class and wrote in a letter to parents:

We understand that, as presented, the words used showed a lack of sensitivity and were offensive.

The purpose of the assignment was not, in any way, to have students argue that ANY slavery is acceptable ― a concept that goes against our core values and beliefs about the equality and worth of people of all races.

HT Huffington Post

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