CNN ran an article today entitled Florida’s new standards on Black history curriculum are creating outrage. Coincidentally, on this day six years ago I posted the following on Facebook.
I’ve heard it said that education can help solve bigotry, racism, etc. I think this is a great idea, and I’ve assembled a curriculum for the people that need to be educated.
Year 1, Months 1 and 2
- Captured, chained and packed onto a ship with no hygiene and little or no food or water
- Two month voyage
Year 1, Month 3
- Removed from ship and sold at auction; likely separated from family if that hasn’t already happened
- Forced to work at least 12 hours a day, seven days a week in a field with little to no water, no breaks, no sunscreen, etc. Severe corporal punishment for failure to meet performance standards. Possible day off in the future to worship according to your owner’s religion.
- Raped (required for women; optional but strongly encouraged for men)
- Children sold to new owners
- Sold to new owner; likely separated from any family
- Physical and verbal abuse. Constant reminders that you’re 3/5 of a person, an animal, an inferior life form, etc.
- All rights removed
- No education, including reading and writing, with the exception of this course work
- Living quarters provided: wooden shacks with no utilities
Year 1, Month 3 – Year 250
- Repeat Year 1, Month 3 until death; any progeny will assume responsibility for your course work
Year 250: Continuing Education
- Begrudgingly freed by owners
- Rights legally granted but unavailable in practice
- Ongoing threats of physical violence up to but not necessarily murder
- Ongoing verbal harassment
- Separate and inferior education
- Limited or no access to retail establishments, entertainment venues, public transportation, health care, and other services
- Higher education, career, and other opportunities denied
- Harassment and brutality from law enforcement officials
There’s a lot more I could add, but let’s face it; most of the students would beg to drop the class before they got to the ship.
I think it could work. Education is always worth a try.
Stay healthy and safe.
Days Without a Mass Shooting: 1
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