School Denies Bullying Of 7-year-old Who Allegedly…
Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell: Words Matter
Did you know that yesterday was supposed to be cotton picking day? At least it was supposed to be at one school in Mississippi.
Lillie Burney Elementary School in Hattiesburg thankfully canceled Thursday's Cotton Picking Day at the school after drawing outrage from parents. The day was supposed to celebrate Black History Month by having students dress like slaves. Yes, slaves!
One irate parent, Roy Coleman, is chiefly responsible for the change.
"I just didn't think it was appropriate," said Coleman, 26, who found the events calendar among his stepson's homework papers. "The school does a great job academically, but I think this was a mistake."
Coleman met with Superintendent Annie Wimbish, and the day was transformed into a career day featuring doctors, lawyers and teachers.
The school's principal, Deborah Smith, could not be reached for comment.
Now I know what you are thinking, but you'd be wrong. This is a predominantly black school.
Slavery in Colonial Williamsburg
The Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance is made up of businesses and tourism destinations in Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown, all within the state of Virginia. These historic destinations do an excellent job of depicting African-Americans in an engaging, realistic manner. This image is one of the first seen upon taking a tour of Historic Jamestowne.
Alexis G. Stodghill, BlackVoices.com
The Amtrak train goes directly into the center of Williamsburg, VA, which is an incredibly quaint and charming town housing wonderful restaurants, cute shops and the College of William & Mary. Three airports also serve Williamsburg: The Richmond International Airport (RIC), Norfolk International Airport (ORF), and the Newport News/Williamsburg Airport (PHF). It's very easy to drive there as well, making this a great place for family trips.
Kate Hoving, Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance
My first stop was to the historic site of the original Jamestowne fort. This wooden lattice and fort depict the dimensions of the living quarters of the first British colony in America. (The actual site is nearby.)
Kate Hoving, Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance
The grounds of Historic Jamestowne are beautiful and relaxing, with gorgeous emerald greenery snaking along the James River. I was very much amazed by the scenic natural surroundings of the entire Greater Williamsburg area, which is protected by the National Park Service. It's worth visiting just to experience the lush barely-touched nature.
Kate Hoving, Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance
The legend of Pocahontas and her contributions to uniting white settlers with the native people of Virginia is memorialized at Historic Jamestowne with this statue of her.
Kate Hoving, Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance
Jamestowne is still an active archaeological site. This is a dig that is still going on to this day. Archaeologists have collected over one million artifacts from this site that illuminate the conditions of the people who lived here during the 1600s.
Kate Hoving, Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance
The Archaearium at Historic Jamestowne houses models of many of the artifacts that have been found at the archaeological site. There are many colorful, three-dimensional exhibits that show the types of challenges and triumphs faced by the settlers and native people as Jamestowne was founded and grew.
Alexis G. Stodghill, BlackVoices.com
Jamestown Settlement is a huge museum that brings the history of Historic Jamestowne to life. The spacious galleries and outdoor touring areas feature interactive displays, films, exhibits and full-scale models of locales. Award-winning black actor and filmmaker Tim Reid narrates an amazing film that covers how African nations participated in, and then tried to end, the slave trade in the 'From Africa to Virginia' theater.
Kate Hoving, Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance
At the Jamestown Settlement, the curators do an excellent job of giving visitors a real feeling for what it was like to live in the past. This canoe was constructed according to the methods of the native Powhatan Indians, who were the neighboring tribe of the British settlers.
Kate Hoving, Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance
This is a dwelling in the full-scale Powhatan village at the Jamestown Settlement. It's great for older and younger visitors alike to see history come alive up close with buildings and items that you can smell, see and touch.
Kate Hoving, Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance
"I think the committee had the right heart when considering this and certainly had no negative intentions, because this is part of our history," Wimbish said.
"Different people have different perceptions, so I don't know if it would have been offensive," she added, "But we certainly want to work with our parents and listen to their concerns."
Yes, slavery was a difficult time in our history, but should it be ignored? Then again, is dressing up like a slave a way to pay homage to our ancestors?
Perhaps, simply teaching about it is enough.
See the full story here
Comments: (414)
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By: Eric on 2/05/2009 4:58PM
Well, I see no harm whatsoever with that planned activity, after all we were former slaves! And, to be honest what better forum could you ask for to help better educate our communities about the reality of slavery! That's our problem now we just continue to close our eyes to everything, not realizing apparantly that you can always learn something...even from something that you may not be all that comfortable with! Knowlege is real power, so why do we choose to wear blinders all the time? We're never satisfied!
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By: Noelle Johnson on 2/13/2009 12:23PM
We African Americans can show our heritage in others ways than just picking cotton, i do see harm in it being that i am a fifteen year old high school student who takes pride in her race. We were forced to pick cotton years ago without a choice and i feel that if we really want to show how great a race we are then we should show the world how amazing we are by expressing ourselves in more of a positive way. Like our advancements in music, dance, cooking, and style.
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By: Jorgan on 2/19/2009 8:26AM
"knowledge is power"
thanks G I Joe but there is an actual discussion that needs to take place, no cliches.
I think that this article is so stupid that it is only good for a laugh. There isn't even a second side to the argument worth validating.
THIS WAS WRONG.
SO read this, laugh, and move on because there is no use getting worked up about something so stupid.
Getting upset over things like this further encourages racism.
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By: xchance on 2/19/2009 9:11AM
i dont understand the outrage,if our people did some research...you would realize that white people picked cotton also, there was a similar celebration in grapevine,tx,after i researched and found pictures and other evidence and presented it publicly....they changed the name to main street days...do something,besides complain.
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By: isawthelight on 2/19/2009 4:43PM
To Noelle: you stated you are 15 years old. You also stated that "years ago we were forced to pick cotton". I am assuming that by "years" you meant over a HUNDRED years, and by "we" I'm assuming you meant YOUR ANCESTORS, or people of the same race. I'm sure Native Americans can say their people were also treated horrendously, or that Jews were killed by the millions during the holocaust. The point is, all of these things happened in the PAST, and none of them happened to you specifically. Holding onto past events only breeds hate. You have never had to pick cotton involuntarily, so I don't pity you, and you shouldn't be so self-piteous either just because of your race.
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By: Arnetta on 2/21/2009 1:02AM
The slaves were not willing participants. They also did not share in the profits from their labor. We must not, nor will not forget that the intial wealth of this nation was through the blood, sweat and tears of African-American.
Black Labor White Wealth
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By: RJ on 2/05/2009 5:37PM
Only in Mississippi-I was born and raised there, Hollandale and the woman who bore me thought this was o.k. vs. sending me to library to read during summer months of 100 degree temps. I hated it and there was no value in it-it made me feel less than human and degrading this was the 1980s. People please learn something yourself before having children out of wedlock-because you do dumb things. Thank God for the stepdad with some sense and courage to speak on the negativity of such a day highlighting slavery and reveling in this insanity. Shameful
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By: Fernando on 2/05/2009 7:01PM
Eric you are misguided to believe that there is something to be learned from actually dressing like slaves, whats next...separate the lightskin kids from the darkskin ones? I don't understand the need to dress the part...what is gained from this experience?, you learn the scraps we were put in on a daily basis so when these kids see a homeless person they can say "they are dressed like slaves?" smh I don't understand it. You talk of educating the realities of slavery so I assume bringing out the whips and letting someone get a smack is next?.....no wait....how about find the white kid in the class and make him the master of the slaves....would that be overboard to you? Thats the reality of it all right. Come on now, get a brain and get a clue. I swear I don't know how so many adults are so twisted in their views to even consider this as alright.
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By: wisdom on 2/05/2009 8:07PM
I use to live in a small town called shubuta.I left there and never came back.Are things better in mississippi.Holla to all at alcorn/jackson state university.As soon as you get your next stem u less check get out of mississippi.
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By: Monte Woods on 2/05/2009 8:59PM
I am a 6th generation Georgia native. I understand the outrage and degradation on this "hot topic." I am proud of the strength and resolve of our ancestors. We still have a couple of "Overall Sundays" at our small country Baptist church. There are still stones with names scratched in them to mark graves. I promise not repremand any of my Caucassian American Southern Brothers, as long as they put on white trash antibellum getups n' pic n' pac that prickly stuff with 'em. To me, it's all about R-E-$-P-E-C-T. I am no racist, but that holiday is a bit...odd.
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