Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

appalachiablue

(42,995 posts)
Wed May 29, 2024, 01:38 PM May 2024

Va. Mom: Says White Students Told Her Asian American Son To Sit At 'Segregated Table,' Alex.

- 'Virginia mom says white students told her Asian American son to sit at 'segregated' table,' NBC News4 Washington, May 29, 2024. - The student’s mom says a group of white students allegedly told her fifth-grade son, who is half Asian, that he couldn’t sit with them.
-------
An after-school game took a troubling turn last Tuesday at Lyles Crouch Traditional Academy in Alexandria. Mom Kathryn Kelley says a group of white students allegedly told her fifth-grade son, who is half Asian, that he couldn’t sit with them. “[They were] saying that mixed race kids had to sit at a table that was away from the white kids, and then African American and Black kids had to sit even further,” Kelley told News4.

“They said that they were segregated and that they couldn’t play with the white kids.” Kelley says some students also allegedly teased the students of color, based on race and class. “It was of course very difficult, it was confusing. He was trying to understand what was going on while also trying to stand up for his friends and trying to interrupt the situation, but not really knowing what to do,” Kelley said.

News4 obtained a letter sent by the school’s principal to parents last Friday, acknowledging an “inappropriate game” that caused some students to feel uncomfortable, as part of a “role play of a social studies lesson.” The letter said, “Students often want to discuss troubling topics from class in a variety of ways, some of which may cause offense. This is certainly a challenge in educating our students and one that we must be keenly aware of when difficult topics are presented.”

Kelley feels there are steps that should have been taken. “When kids are learning these things, like about segregation, learning about the history of white supremacy in the U.S. -- they have to learn that, they need to learn that, but it’s not a game, and they need to learn the seriousness of these things.”...
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/virginia-mom-says-white-students-told-asian-american-son-sit-segregate-rcna154525

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Va. Mom: Says White Students Told Her Asian American Son To Sit At 'Segregated Table,' Alex. (Original Post) appalachiablue May 2024 OP
always thought these 'roll playing' exercises were fairly stupid stopdiggin May 2024 #1
How dismissive, just 4th and 5th graders being jerks, 'and Mama's Boy' appalachiablue May 2024 #3
We aren't born with prejudices. It's a learned behavior. Deuxcents May 2024 #2
Yep, and this should have been handled much better. #3 appalachiablue May 2024 #6
That's a public elementary school in a diverse area IronLionZion May 2024 #4
IK, the area is diverse. #3 Things shouldn't have gone this far. appalachiablue May 2024 #5
"an 'inappropriate game'..." OldBaldy1701E May 2024 #7
! Some 'game,' really. appalachiablue May 2024 #8

stopdiggin

(12,944 posts)
1. always thought these 'roll playing' exercises were fairly stupid
Wed May 29, 2024, 01:53 PM
May 2024

(but that might just be lack of understanding here)
But I'll also go out on a limb and say that 4th and 5th graders - will utilize almost any opportunity to act like jerks. And that sounds like exactly what was gong on here.
(and are we sure this momma's boy 'didn't understand' what was going on .. ? 'cause any half-bright 5th grader knows that he's being spoofed and wound up here.)

appalachiablue

(42,995 posts)
3. How dismissive, just 4th and 5th graders being jerks, 'and Mama's Boy'
Wed May 29, 2024, 02:34 PM
May 2024

put down. He should have known what was going on, not bright? So blame the student, I don't think so. Attempts to minimize the offensive behavior as trivial, fail.

The staff should have been on top of this sensitive topic from the beginning and anticipated possible negative issues provoked by the role play lesson they conducted. The resulting behavior was unfortunate and could have been avoided or blunted if the school had been alert and doing their job. Full stop.


Deuxcents

(19,964 posts)
2. We aren't born with prejudices. It's a learned behavior.
Wed May 29, 2024, 02:04 PM
May 2024

Kids will be kids, for sure but to isolate other kids is not what comes naturally.

IronLionZion

(47,049 posts)
4. That's a public elementary school in a diverse area
Wed May 29, 2024, 02:36 PM
May 2024

so the students are pretty diverse. The ones in this news story are idiots. It's best to teach these kids right from wrong when they're young so they don't end up demanding an orange people only table when they're in their 70s.


https://lcta.acps.k12.va.us/about-achs

Student Body Demographics
Enrollment: 440

American Indian or Alaska Native: 0%
Asian: 3%
Black or African American: 35%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 0%
White: 52%
Hispanic: 10%
Multi-racial: 0%
Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Virginia»Va. Mom: Says White Stude...