MISSOURI TEACHER ASSIGNS 5TH GRADERS ASSIGNMENT TO SET THE VALUE OF A SLAVE
So do you remember that time you were in 5th grade and your classroom assignment was to set the price and value of a slave? No? Well, to be fair, be neither. But I was a minority white student in 5th grade. Maybe that had something to do with me never having that assignment? Or is it maybe because it’s an insane insult to humanity in general to do so? So you get the idea. But this happened. And it happened recently. So recently, in fact that the teacher at the Mehlville, Missouri elementary school who assigned it is still on leave. But, alas, it is even worse than that!
PLUS, 5TH GRADERS HAD TO SET THE PRICE OF A SLAVE IN CONTEXT TO FREE MARKET ECONOMY, WEALTH
So how could it be worse? Well, you won’t have to wonder too damn hard. Why? Because the teacher assigned this task in context to a free market economy! Yeah, that’s right. But a free market economy as it relates to wealth, to boot. So gee, I wonder which news network this teacher watches? Yeah, if you guessed Fox News, you’d agree with my guess. But where else would some otherwise comfortably ignorant white person think about wealth, the free market, and slavery? And I do mean this century, of course. This is the kind of thing that must make good people lose their minds.
5TH GRADERS HAD TO IMAGINE THE PRICE OF A SLAVE AS A PLANTATION OR FARM OWNER
But seriously, how could this happen? Even in today’s ridiculous climate of political rhetoric? Well, easily, it seems. So here was the 5th graders’ assignment: “You own a plantation or farm and therefore need more workers. You begin to get involved in the slave trade industry and have slaves work on your farm. Your product to trade is slaves. Set your price for a slave. _____________ These could be worth a lot. You may trade for any items you’d like.” Jeez. Yeah, it really is that ugly. This teacher pointedly asked their students to dehumanize black people. And to contextualize them as a commodity.
Way to go, Missouri.