Tempers flared yesterday as students attending the Middle School of Mathematics and Science walked out of classes to protest against the school. This comes after three Social Studies teachers were fired after teaching their students too much black history.
According to Raw Story, students say that Principal Angelicque Blackmon( who is African American), who is described as “antisocial and abrasive” , confronted all three teachers in front of the students about how they were teaching subjects like Kwanzaa and the notorious former D.C. Mayor, Marion Barry, who recently passed in November. The teachers were then escorted out of the building.
The irony of it all, the school is located on the campus of one of the most famous historically black schools in the nation, Howard University. The demographics of the school alone is made of over 90 percent African American students and staff.
Students and parents demanded that the principal give them answers or be fired as well as hire new social studies teachers who can teach black history. They also ask for respect from the school as they feel that the staff members stereotype them in to believing that they will all end up in jail.
It is reported that the NAACP and members of the D.C. Council Education Committee are looking into the claims. The school has yet to make any comments on the matter either.
The power of peaceful protest is what I learned when I attended my alma mater, Howard University. It is unfortunate that during the month of Black History students have to deal with this. Not only are you profiled in the streets but now in schools? Hopefully the students’ demands are met so that they can continue their education. Check out the clip below of one student’s words and let’s chat.
SOURCES SITED: RAW STORY
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/02/dc-middle-schoolers-protest-instructors-fired-for-allegedly-teaching-too-much-black-history/
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