Children's History Lesson on Slavery Based on Facts, Not Racism

In a time when the mere subject of slavery is likely to ignite accusations of racism, it comes as little surprise that a North Carolina history lesson on slavery has left some people's panties in quite a twist.

Historian and tour guide Ian Campbell made the politically incorrect snafu during a class trip, when he selected black students to act as slaves during a demonstration on what life was like during the Civil War. Campbell, who is black, selected the black children from the group of black and white kids because he was "trying to be historically correct not politically correct." Indeed, Campbell's interpretation is correct-slaves during that time were predominantly black. Unfortunately, sensitive parents have taken offense to Campbell's accurate portrayal of our nation's history. These parents fear for their children's self-esteem, concerned that a lesson in history will somehow unravel their child's self-respect.

NAACP President Kojo Nantambu agrees.

"There is a lingering pain, a lingering bitterness, a lingering insecurity and a lingering sense of inhumanity since slavery. Because that's still there, you want to be more sensitive than politically correct or historically correct."

What lingering pain? These kids have never experienced slavery, segregation or Jim Crow.

So, instead of presenting history as it happened, we should omit those parts that others find offensive-in other words lie? How can we learn from history, if we're never exposed to the bad stuff? No one takes the time to consider how the discussion of slavery makes white kids feel. While blacks may not want to be reminded of the past, whites may not either. Parts of our nation's past are ugly for all parties involved. That doesn't mean we swipe it under the rug. We take it for what it is: the past. Then we move on.

Kids are not born insecure. Only parents instill that in them. Let's stop pretending that we're worried about offending the children. Unlike their sensitive parents, they can handle the facts.

Source:

Children's Slavery Lesson Upsets Charlotte NAACP Leader, November 6, 2009