Assembly members Michael Blake, Victor Pichardo, and State Senator Gustavo Rivera demand accountability after reports surfaced that a teacher at MS 118 in the Bronx allegedly had African American students lie on the floor and stepped on their backs during a lesson on slavery.
“As a graduate of MS 118, the allegations of a teacher’s savage act of putting her foot on children’s backs, deeply hurts me to my core. This simulation of how a master would treat a slave is vile and racist. It is appalling that a teacher would believe it is acceptable, especially during Black History Month, to teach racial history in this unconscionable manner. I strongly believe that this teacher should be fired immediately. I do understand that due process and an investigation is occurring and so, if that is the reason for the delay, I do equally believe that this teacher should be suspended without pay, instead of being reassigned to another job within the education system. Her racist and discriminatory actions are not just reprehensible against children; they are unacceptable for all of us who believe in humanity. I call on the Mayor and Chancellor to immediately demonstrate that the lives of children are more important than the job of one,” said Assemblyman Michael Blake.
“I’m appalled that a middle school teacher, right here at M.S. 118 in the Bronx, developed a lesson on slavery where students, let alone black students, were allegedly told to lie on the floor while she stepped on their backs. This goes far beyond poor judgement. I implore the Department of Education to complete a thorough investigation and take swift action to ensure that all students are safe at school and such an egregious affront never happens again. Slavery was one of the worst atrocities in our nation’s history, and it’s important that students understand its severity and the repercussions it continues to have to this day. However, replicating such experiences, in any degree, and traumatizing students is not the way to teach this, or any other subject matter. I’m saddened to see such incidents take place in our community. These unacceptable actions should serve as a lesson to treat everyone with respect, tolerance and understanding. It’s our duty to learn from the mistakes of the past rather than repeat them,” said Assemblymember Victor Pichardo.
According to reports, MS 118 teacher Patricia Cummings was teaching a lesson on US slavery, specifically on the Middle Passage when the incident happened.
"It is ludicrous that a teacher would think that it is appropriate to teach students about slavery by having black students lie on the floor and step on their backs. Not only do the students and parents at MS 118 deserve answers as to why this happened in the first place, but it also calls into question whether teachers are receiving adequate cultural sensitivity training. In light of the reckless and disturbing lesson plan, the NYC Department of Education, MS 118 and the teacher in question need to explain how this teaching "technique" made its way into the classroom in the first place and it needs to be made clear that this type behavior is unacceptable," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera.
