|
Posted: 7:21 PM Nov 14, 2009
School Trip To NC Plantation Sparks Controversy
Officials at a North Carolina school say their students won't return to a living history plantation, after a black tour guide picked three black students to help re-enact slave life.
|
|
64 Comments
Font Size:
Officials at a North Carolina school say their students won't return to a living history plantation, after a black tour guide picked three black students to help re-enact slave life.
The Charlotte Observer reports that fifth-graders from Waxhaw traveled to Latta Plantation in Huntersville last week to visit the historic cotton plantation.
Latta's executive director, Kristin Toler, said veteran presenter Ian Campbell called up three student helpers as he talked about the work slaves did in the fields. He asked one girl to hold a burlap bag.
Toler said he meant no harm, and for all future tours, guides will ask for volunteers.
Union County school spokeswoman Luann Ingram said the three were the group's only black students.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Latest Comments
Posted by: ~ALPHA female~
Location: O84P
on Nov 17, 2009 at 02:08 AM
To: context is important, always... ~hug~ Race is a touchy subject for adults... it shouldn't be a field trip for children. Kids need to learn to accept people for who they are and not be defined by their looks. If I'm ten years old and I learn that my best friend's ancestors owned my people and killed some... I'm not mature enough to understand she didn't have anything to do with that. I will grow up resenting white people. But if I'm grown and I research slavery on my own, I can better understand the history. Kids have enough problems without throwing race in it. Especially children without parental support at home. Can't kids just go to school, get their lesson, learn to be friends with who they want. Leave the ,I owned your people, field trips alone. Let high schoolers right term papers about slavery if they have that option. But not these little kids. It may seem harmless... but someone is getting their feelings hurt and someone is loosing a very good friend. *Nice post*
Posted by: black history month
on Nov 16, 2009 at 08:44 PM
for anyone who thinks black history month is a cause for celebration...has anyone ever considered whether there should be a difference between 'history' and 'black history'? is non black history the default history?? its like saying 'here, black population, here's your little piece of something to feel important'. i feel this way about all histories. history is society's way of deeming importance to certain people and events. therefore, if black people only get a sliver of time in history books, guess they arent really worth mentioning? yeah its off topic a little, but i figured while we were on the general subject of education...i do believe history is to be acknowleged, but in all lights of the subject. not just the poor downtrodden slaves, but the george washington carvers (look him up, he was brilliant) and other inspirational figures in american history.
Posted by: context, ctd..
on Nov 16, 2009 at 06:56 PM
while it might not have been completely appropriate, the tour guide was black, im certain that his intentions were not malicious. the person shares the same heritage as the students he had re enacting 'slave life'. also, i commented earlier on this board that it wouldnt hurt for white kids to volunteer and see what it is like. ive heard too many times white people trying to justify slavery. one person even said 'but the slaves were clothed and fed before the white family was'. who cares, they were ENSLAVED! i dont carry 'white guilt' bc i wasnt around then, and if i was, i would have fought for the freedom of all slaves. also, while the repercussions of slavery exist today (the poverty of a 'kept' society), not a single black person alive has ever been a (legal) slave in america. you cannot refer to slavery in terms of 'us' and 'we'. you cant change the past, but you can work towards a better future and refuse to be 'kept' down.
More Stories
| Most Commented |
| WITN News At Sunrise Live From Creswell High School 394 Comments |
| NEW INFO: Four Charged With Several Fast Food Armed Robberies 334 Comments |
| NC Catholics Urged To Vote For Marriage Amendment 223 Comments |
| More Charges Against Driver In Fatal Accident 219 Comments |
| City Manager Apologizes For GPD Chief's E-mail, No Comment From Chief 211 Comments |
| Nation's Unemployment Drops To 8.3% 200 Comments |
Click one of the pictures below to see more or to upload your own photos and videos.
Special Sections
 |
CarSoup
Search inventory from local dealers and private sellers. |
 |
|
 |
Rental Guide
Video tours to help you find your next apartment. |
|
|
 |
Double Dollar Deals
Save 50% from local merchants. |
|
|
 |
Classifieds
THE place to buy and sell items. Most ads free. |
|
|
 |
Experts
Got a question? Ask Eastern Carolina's Experts. |
|
|
 |
Health Matters Keeping you and your family healthy. |
|
|
 |
MomsEveryday.com Making Mom's Life Easier in Eastern Carolina. |
|
|
 |
Business Break
Two minutes of info from local businesses. |
|
|
