Bronxville, NY-
According to USA Today, a fifth-grade teacher has been placed on indefinite leave after holding a mock slave auction where students placed bids on black students.
One mother of a student, Vernex Harding said her son was asked to pretend to be a slave as part of the history lesson. Including two other black boys that were also told to raise their hands were led to the hallway where they were asked “to put imaginary chains along our necks and our wrists, and shackles on our ankles.”
USA Today reports that Cudy and Feder, a White Plains-based law firm is representing the fifth-grade teacher, Rebecca Antinozzi who disputes the claims of a mock slave auction.
The principal of the school, Michael Schultz said a third party will conduct an independent review. Faculty and staff will receive sensitivity training and students will be provided with mental health professional support.
“The reported racial insensitivity is unacceptable and we do not condone any action that demeans anyone,” Schultz said.
UPDATE- According to The Daily Mail, administrators at the school held an emergency meeting on Thursday with the parents to address the issue. New York Attorney General, Letitia James called the reports of the incident a “racist lesson” deeply troubling. James said that her office will be looking closely into this situation.
