Many parents are still unaware: Video tells 9th graders that white people have privilege
“Intersectionality 101” video
Many parents are still unaware of assignments used in Rockwood that focus on oppression and privilege.
This video was used in language arts classes last school year. It shows different races of students, and stereotypes them.
It calls the black student discriminated against, says other minorities are marginalized, and, says the white student has privilege.
Parent reaction:
“I think it is ridiculous. This is teaching kids to focus on differences between people."
—Rockwood parent, on 9th grader's experience
Read more about the video, including what Rockwood did about it, below the screenshots.
You can watch the whole video here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6dnj2IyYjE
Or, to save time, keep viewing the screenshots below.
Something to hide?
The video has been edited since Rockwood students watched it in spring, 2021. After parent complaints, such as those in the now infamous email that told teachers to hide lesson content, an audio phrase to go with the above screenshot is now missing: “another form of privilege.”
The subtitle is still there. Rockwood is not the video's producer, and is not assumed to have made the edit.
The video’s producer is a teaching resource that emphasizes social justice over academics and promotes Critical Race Theory on its website. Concepts in CRT are also embedded in the audio and subtitles: “intersectionality” and “privilege.”
https://www.learningforjustice.org/learning-plan/critical-race-theory
Note: Learning for Justice is the new name. It used to be Teaching Tolerance.
DETAILS
By: Teaching Tolerance
(Southern Poverty Law Center)
Language Arts, Cultural Identity unit
Spring semester, 2020-2021 school year
Parent Concerns:
Perpetuates stereotypes
Says white people have privilege
Status:
Rockwood approved this video but, after parent feedback, has stated it does not intend to use this video anymore.
We are watching to see if it, or anything similar, is used again.
This post has been updated to include additional information about the phrase that was edited out.