Yesterday afternoon I was sitting around my house, when my son's (1st grade) teacher called. I was surprised to see her calling on Saturday, and figured that it must've been important. When I answered she told me that my son was in trouble because he had made some racist statements on Friday.
My head nearly exploded at that moment. I couldn't believe it! There's no way my son made racist remarks. No. Way.
I was right. She explained further that the class was discussing Gorillas. My son raised his hand, like a good little boy, and apparently said, "Mrs. Evans, did you know you're an African ape?" (She's black)
She wouldn't even let him explain what he meant by that. She just told him to hush up and put him in the corner.
I explained to her that what he meant by that is that the human species had evolved into being in Africa, and since humans are nothing more than apes, everyone is an African ape, not just her, and not just black people. Once I explained this to her, she said she understood and was sorry that she didn't ask him for further explanation.
I was surprised that my son didn't mention this to me, as I did ask him about his day on Friday afternoon. He gave me the old usual, "It was okay.".
Mrs. Evans said that on Tuesday she would allow Joseph to get up in front of class and explain what he meant by what he said. (He's the only white person in his class) So, my son has written a report to read.
I am copying this as he wrote it, with just a little help from me in the spelling/puntuation department.
I am really proud of my kid! I am so glad that, as nutty as Tennessee is, they still allow the teaching of evolution in science class. I'm so thrilled that my son will get the chance to read this to his class, and redeem himself to his teacher.
/brag
My head nearly exploded at that moment. I couldn't believe it! There's no way my son made racist remarks. No. Way.
I was right. She explained further that the class was discussing Gorillas. My son raised his hand, like a good little boy, and apparently said, "Mrs. Evans, did you know you're an African ape?" (She's black)
She wouldn't even let him explain what he meant by that. She just told him to hush up and put him in the corner.
I explained to her that what he meant by that is that the human species had evolved into being in Africa, and since humans are nothing more than apes, everyone is an African ape, not just her, and not just black people. Once I explained this to her, she said she understood and was sorry that she didn't ask him for further explanation.
I was surprised that my son didn't mention this to me, as I did ask him about his day on Friday afternoon. He gave me the old usual, "It was okay.".
Mrs. Evans said that on Tuesday she would allow Joseph to get up in front of class and explain what he meant by what he said. (He's the only white person in his class) So, my son has written a report to read.
I am copying this as he wrote it, with just a little help from me in the spelling/puntuation department.
Joseph Wrote:I love science. My mom talks to me about science all the time. My mom taught me that all humans and all life on earth came from one common ancestor. That means we are all connected. Humans are primates. That is a long word for ape. Human life started in Africa. Since we are all humans, that means we are all Africans. A long long time ago some of our ancestors left Africa and made places to live in other parts of the earth. That's why no one really knows that everyone is African, but I do. Did you know that for humans to survive they had to be really tough? They had to survive through the ice age and they did! That's something to be really happy about. No matter what color a person's skin is, if they are a human, they are an African ape. We are all different, but this is one thing that makes us all the same. If you want to know more about this just ask. If I do not know the answer I will go home and ask my mom. If she does not know, we will google it for you. Thank you.
I am really proud of my kid! I am so glad that, as nutty as Tennessee is, they still allow the teaching of evolution in science class. I'm so thrilled that my son will get the chance to read this to his class, and redeem himself to his teacher.
/brag
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