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The problem is, people only view things from their perspective, and if they think there's nothing wrong with something (or wrong with something for that matter), then everyone else must have the same opinion or that person is in the wrong.
Again, lack of situational awareness. Now, I don't particularly think there's anything wrong with describing or demonstrating how hard it may have been to clean cotton, but just simply having your students try and clean it as a 'fun activity,' especially with Black students present and without any additional context, is just inviting trouble.
I'm saying all this not because I believe in 'woke' sensibilities, but simply because there's just some things in life you don't do or say if you want to preserve your career. In this day and age it just doesn't cut it NOT to be extra cautious in what you do especially if you are constantly in the public eye like a school teacher. We may not all agree with this, but that's just reality.
Well, then, that's different if you're simulating the experience of enslaved people rather than simply demonstrating how hard it is to get the seeds out of cotton by hand. I agree. Tone deaf.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Taratova
What is to be learned by having to clean cotton? Why not make a salad and give a cooking class.
What is to be learned, is that enables you to understand how the invention of the cotton gin completely changed the south. Prior to that, in 1793, cotton had to be ginned by hand and so it was much less profitable. When you can gin it by machine, suddenly plantations mushroomed and the slave trade boomed, and cotton was king in the south.
So, a much bigger lesson than making a salad or cooking class.
And this brings up the trivia question EVERYONE knows - [1]"who invented the cotton gin"?
Why we ALL know that is the mystery of what public schools deem important. Because what we don't seem to know, that's actually important, [2] is the significance the cotton gin had on the US.
that's a good point. how many people on the street could answer [1] but not [2]?
There are just some things in life that are better left unsaid and undone. If I was a teacher, there's absolutely no way I would say or do anything that could remotely be considered offensive, no matter how much of a stretch it may be. I'd do things by the book and avoid doing anything altogether outside of the safe script.
In this case, I would never have done that with the cotton, especially knowing that there are Black students in my class. Yes, I know that's ludicrous, but it's reality. You always gotta watch yourself in this society of ours, you just never know who will take offense at something you do.
If you value your job security, then it's on you to be hyper vigilant. You can't do or say something knowing full well that someone could take offense, and then complain about it afterwards. Again, I know that sucks, but that's how things go these days, if you don't like it, then you can become your own boss or quit and retire somehow.
While I can totally understand (and even support) your point of view - from an educational standpoint, it is my opinion that sticking to the "safe script" is what has led to American students being far behind in so many things. Our educational system doesn't seem to inspire creativity and thinking outside the box.
Years ago I worked on a STEM program for middle school students - it was fascinating to see how many class curriculums could be pulled into this program but not one teacher ever saw it. The essay portion could be completed in the English class. The city design portion could be taught in social studies or civics. The portion that used a specific software could be taught in a technology class. There were science portions that could be taught in science classes. The end result was a project that could bring the whole lesson plan to an all encompassing solution. But all the teachers could do (because of the safe scripts they are required to follow) was just pass on the program in general.
I feel for the kids...the lessons they learn have no real meaning to them because of a safe script.
What is to be learned by having to clean cotton? Why not make a salad and give a cooking class.
You know, a lot of kids think milk comes from the supermarket. Also salad fixings for that matter. I believe they should learn about farming.
The parent in this story is just plain wrong. If this lesson had been taught during black history month, the parent probably would have been happy about it.
Mom seems emotionally disturbed. Black ACLU rep can't be bothered to explain what his problem is with the lesson, says "there needs to be a change in attitude".
What is to be learned, is that enables you to understand how the invention of the cotton gin completely changed the south. Prior to that, in 1793, cotton had to be ginned by hand and so it was much less profitable. When you can gin it by machine, suddenly plantations mushroomed and the slave trade boomed, and cotton was king in the south.
So, a much bigger lesson than making a salad or cooking class.
Having a Cotton Gin does the picking so how did the slave trade boom when the slaves no longer were needed to pick cotton..
I've seen lots of whiners complaining about some of the smallest, stupidest things-but this is right up there. It may not be AOC or Maxine level stupid, but close. Look, these kids were being taught about the industrial revolution. One of the earliest examples was the cotton gin, which took humans out of a position of doing a horrible, tedious job. Understanding how bad that was and the benefits of industrialization is an important teaching tool. And none of you ever picked no cotton!
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