Web Watch

Teacher’s look at education news from around the Web.

« Lowering the Bar | Main | Fear Factors »

In Black and White

Sometimes education is uncomfortable. That's what a group of middle-schoolers in Anderson, Indiana, found out when each student was tagged with a randomly assigned black or white sticker representing race as part of a Black History Month exercise. The students wearing black stickers were segregated into separate classes and had to use the "Colored" water fountain, which only dispensed warm water. The simulation included sessions where teachers and volunteers acted out some of the social scenarios that would have been commonplace before the civil rights era. "This would be pretty bad day in and day out, " said one 7th grader, who had a black sticker. "We hope some will realize that people died for them to have the rights they do today," a school official said.

Post a comment

Ground Rules for Posting
We encourage lively debate, but please, no profanity or personal attacks. By commenting, you are agreeing to abide by our user agreement.

Sources for all articles are available through links. Teacher Magazine does not take credit or responsibility for reporting in linked stories. Access to some may require registration or fee.

Get Web Watch delivered by e-mail. Enter your e-mail here::

Delivered by FeedBurner

Advertisement

TM Archive