A World Cultures class assignment given to 10th graders in the South Fayette School District has some parents and students up in arms.
During her radio show on Wednesday on News Radio KDKA, Lynne Hayes-Freeland described the assignment that students in the district were given titled "Is the Slave Trade Profitable?"
According to the assignment, students were given a price for the cost of a ship, the costs to purchase a slave in Africa and they were given a price for which they could sell the slave in the new world.
Students were asked to figure out the maximum profit an owner could make if the slaves were packed in tightly on the ship and packed in loosely on the ship.
Lynne called the assignment "ridiculous."
She spoke with Leigh Hill and her son, Elijah, who is a student in the district and received the assignment in the beginning of the year.
Hill said she first learned of it on social media when another parent posted about it.
"When I first looked at it, I was completely, absolutely shocked that all kids - but specifically kids of color - had to sit in a classroom setting with their white friends and calculate how much their ancestors were worth back then and how much they were worth if they made it to the new world," explained Hill.
Hill questions why slaves were used as the example in the assignment. "Why couldn't it be about cattle or coffee or anything else that was being sold for profit instead of human beings?"
She said she's shocked that this kind of assignment was being used in 2021.
Hill's son Elijah said he initially "didn't like the vibe of it" when he first saw the assignment. "The one reason why I didn't say anything is because usually, in South Fayette, when I say something or other students say something, it doesn't get recognized. Nothing happens."
Elijah said "There are multiple instances where something has happened affecting people of color, that like little to nothing has happened."
Leigh Hill says the assignment has been out for at least two years, because the woman who posted it on social media said her daughter received the assignment last school year. Hill's son received it this school year.
The other parent Hill referred to is a woman named Sarah Emanuel. She originally shared the images of the assignment on social media. She sent the images below to KDKA Radio via text.
Slavery assignment from 10th grade South Fayette High School ClassSarah Emanuel
As of the time of the interview and original publishing of this article Wednesday afternoon, Lynne Hayes-Freeland had called the district to speak with Dr. Kenneth Lockette, Superintendent of Schools for comment. She was told that Dr. Lockette was out of town, but school staff would try to reach him to deliver the message.
Hill said she spoke to the principal of South Fayette High School on Wednesday by phone. "I went up there today and she wasn't available because she was in meetings and I assume that they are in damage control," said Hill. "She called me back around 11:30a and told me she's very saddened that this assignment was given out. So I asked her if this assignment was school board approved and she had told me that this assignment was created by the specific teacher; that the district didn't know that this was an actual assignment and they said they're looking into it and that was pretty much it.
"I told her that this assignment shouldn't even exist. There are other things to see if you can make a profit off of," said Hill.
Hill says the principal replied the assignment was showing the harsh ramifications of slavery from an economic standpoint.
Hill went on to say that she told the principal that "this assignment does not show any negative impact, except if you lose money."
Later Wednesday afternoon, Superintendent Locckette sent Lynne a letter that was addressed to parents and guardians, regarding the assignment. In the letter the superintendent wrote:
"A concern from a student was brought to the attention of our administration regarding a social studies assignment about slavery. While the District does have defined and approved curricula, teachers have some latitude in the resources and materials they choose to use in their lessons.
"Once alerted to the existence of this assignment, the administration reviewed the assignment and met with the teacher. After taking these steps it was determined that the assignment is inappropriate, offensive and unacceptable. The assignment will no longer be used in any class and the teacher has been suspended. Further, we will engage in a systematic process to ensure that any other inappropriate assignments are identified and removed immediately.
"As part of the 2019-2022 Strategic Plan, the District has put much effort and resources into creating an equitable, inclusive environment through policy reform, student advocacy, hiring practices and other areas. However, as this assignment demonstrates, there is more critical work to do to ensure that our curriculum, instruction, and climate provide culturally inclusive experiences for all of our students. Our Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is working with our curriculum leaders and teaching staff to address these needs to ensure that all curricular topics are taught through a culturally-responsive lens in the future to give all our students the best educational experience possible.
"We commend the student for speaking up about this assignment and apologize for the harm that this has caused. The voices of our young people are important and heard."
