I live in a very non-politically correct state. You don’t really here ‘Caucasian’ and ‘African American’, you hear black and white (and redneck) and that seems fine for most people. Now I haven’t really talked to my daughter a lot about racism. 50% of our street is black and the other half white.
We are all just people, neighbors, and in most cases, friends.
With the upcoming MLK holiday on Monday, Charlotte’s school has started teaching about the life of Martin Luther King. Yesterday this sheet came home and my husband and I did a double take.
Here is a scan of the first paragraph:
Well.
That “black lady” had a name…it was Rosa Parks.
And I get that this sheet may be dumbed down for Charlotte’s grade level (2nd), but she is 8 years old. Surely she can learn history correctly. We were also a little take aback with the term “the blacks”. With the exception of this paragraph, the rest of the sheet was fine.
Charlotte didn’t seem to notice and on the back of the sheet wrote “King, Good, Nice.”
Chris thinks we need to bring it up to the staff.
I can tell that this was taken out of a school text book, which means I cannot be the only parent whose child has this sheet. Before I go raise a big fuss about nothing, is this offensive to anyone else?
~Trisha
I think they need to update their textbooks…
Yes.. Very! I was the only African American in my city up through graduation, my entire family is Caucasian. The wording is awful in my opinion.
I don’t think kids need history dumbed down to THAT level. She probably doesn’t need to know the exact details of the civil rights movement right now, but she should know who Rosa Parks was, even in 2nd grade. If they’re going to study it, study it accurately. “The blacks” issue, I could honestly overlook. Ignorant and stupid, yes, intellectually lazy, definitely, but I would get over it. Not naming Rosa Parks, though, that’s not education at all. What would be the point of the entire class, if they don’t learn about the prominent figures in history??
I’m trying to think about this from all angles: age, location, lesson context, and I still don’t know what I think. But I do think that Rosa Parks should have been named. She was such an important part of history.
Honestly, its’ not offensive. I’ll pass it on to family and see what they think but here’s my thinking.
1. Its not ‘dumbed down’ … its written on her class average reading level.
2. Odds on, the discussion is on MLK not on Rosa Parks, during Feb there are particular days most of this is covered as part of black history month.
3. the blacks. Well yah, ok, being politically correct, most would say the black americans or african american people, but in that time frame where MLK was living, they were referred to as much less than ‘the blacks’ and while the teacher may have left out the pronoun its not an offensive phrase.
Seriously, relax everyone. Its a GRAMMAR school hand out for learning about MLK. The rest follows.
I don’t find “the blacks” offensive, but it could have been more descriptive to say “black Americans”. I’m wondering if being from the South makes the difference for you and Chris. I grew up in a northern state and there was never a need to differentiate between black and white. I can understand how the history of racism in the southern states could make “the blacks” seem inappropriate. I definitely agree that Rosa Parks should be named! Second grade is old enough to learn those details. I’m going to have to make sure I check the materials my grandson brings home now, I’m curious!
BRING IT UP!!! Rosa Parks is an IMPORTANT lady in our history. “Dumbing it down” is NOT ok.
Last time I checked we were all Americans. If you are born in America, you are an American. Not an African American, Irish American, French American. I’m White….people say that white girl Brandy. They don’t say that “Irish Dutch American Caucasian girl Brandy”. Am I offended by white girl? No, I’m white. It’s a descriptive word as is saying that girl with the red hair, the blonde, etc. I say Black Girl, Mexican Girl, Chinese Girl, etc….I don’t think it’s that big of a deal unless someone wants to make it a big deal. Would it be as offensive if it had said a White lady (referring to a white lady of course…a different story perhaps??). Just my opinion, but I think everyone feels this need to be politically correct and it just causes more issues and problems. Why can’t we just talk without having to nit pick the way we word it for fear of offending someone. You can’t please everyone and as far I can see the ladies in this thread don’t want to be called African Americans because that classifies them as someone they are not, someone from Africa…when obviously they were born and bred in the USA.
Sincerely, that red headed ashy skinned white girl with the frankenbelly… 
<3
Hi Trisha–I agree with Jennifer. Definitely bring it up with the school. Rosa Parks should be named, and referring to black Americans as “the blacks” is definitely pejorative. Having been born in Mississippi and raised in Texas I just never heard “the blacks” used in a positive light, but rather only used to refer to black Americans as somehow “other” and different from whites. It’s time for your daughter’s school to get a new textbook. It’s great that you shared this. Thanks for opening up a really meaningful dialogue.
As a black/African/Indian/Irish (lol) American I don’t take offense to being called either, although there is debate amongst our own about the whole African American thing. However, yes, let’s please give Rosa Parks a name in this. If they were referring to a past president, I don’t believe they would have called him some white man. Thanks for your awareness Trisha, one of the many reasons I luv ya sista!
Simply calling her the ‘black lady’ is what I find so offensive. I understand that many don’t associate with the African American term and saying black American is politically correct. However to dismiss the role Rosa Parks had in the entire thing by calling her nothing more than the ‘black lady’ is inexcusable. If they can learn about MLK, then surely they can remember Rosa Parks.
Being in the Midwest, I know many people who are offended by the term African Americans. Like Krystel said in her comment ” because we are not from Africa”
My daughter is in the 2nd grade too and they are learning about the same here and the names are all in place, no one is refereed to as “a black lady” or “the blacks”. It could be the difference in states or who knows. I think 2nd grade is more than capable of learn names in the history.
in my opinion, by saying “the blacks” is divisive and certainly referring to Rosa Parks as “a black lady” is disrespectful of her as a person. It just seems like there is intent to keep people segregated by color in this paragraph.
Interestingly enough, I thought it was more offensive to women than it was being racist… Men get a proper name, but if you are a woman changing things, you are just some lady… Whether to bring it up or not … why not? You can teach your daughter that some things are worth speaking up about, just like Rosa sitting on the bus, which would make the lesson relevant.
Ah, I didnt think about it like that. Maybe because Rosa Parks is famous in her own right it was about keeping the tone on MLK. But that is probably way deep. I think it was just a racist, and perhaps sexist, paragraph. Sadly….its in schools. We are gonna talk to Charlotte about it personally and let her know that segregation, past, present, and future, is VERY wrong.
I’m can’t say I’m exactly surprised, because we both live in AL even if on opposite ends of the state. That said, I had hoped that even the state of Alabama would have updated their terms and mindsets. My son is four and I teach him about Martin Luther King Jr. so I would expect a text book for an 8 year old to refer to Rose Parks as just that- Rose Parks.
I’m not American so I cannot relate on that level. However, if they can spell out the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, simply saying Rosa Parks ( whose influence was significant) could not have been that difficult. I’m sure it would be easier for second graders to remember her name than recall what SCLC stands for on a test on the subject.
it’s hard to say simply because of the age of the kids reading it. Then again I know most of my black family who dislike being called African American because we are not from Africa neither lol, so it’s really weird. I can see though how just saying oh “that black lady” seems like a lack of respect for that person though.
This was what I was wondering…not EVERYONE is African American by the color of thier skin, but not naming Rosa Parks seemed a tad lazy.
wow. I think that’s really offensive and I agree with Chris. Bring it up. Rosa Parks did a lot for this country and she deserves to be named. And “blacks” no, sorry they are African Americans. how rude and it really teaches our kids the wrong message and how to speak.
I have family in the south… I would think this would be the normal? I remember going to the Town Square when we would visit down there and on a window in one of the shops there was a sign for a KKK meeting. But yeah I think Rosa Parks should have been named… and the blacks should be African Americans.
I have a third grader learning about MLK and none of her things have African Americans referred to as “the blacks”.
Well, I find it pretty offensive but keep in mind I’ve never lived in the south so I’ve never been exposed to that way of life – though I don’t think “that way of life” is an excuse. I’m sure they’ll say that they were dumbing it down for the age level, but if they can teach about MLK, then Rosa Parks needs to be included in that.