movie clip assignment portrays police as racist

8th GRADE ASSIGNMENT:   

“The Hate U Give” movie clip 1.

In language arts classes, Rockwood 8th graders watched movie clips from “The Hate U Give.” It was part of the "Critical Literacy" unit.

“…the curriculum was entirely divisive. It was heavy in subject and he began to dread the class and the weirdness it caused between the students.”   —Rockwood 8th grade parent

In this clip, the main character watched in horror as a white police officer shot and killed a black teen during a traffic stop. It was used to illustrate the term "powerlessness."

Like we've heard on the news in real life, the victim reached into his car during the stop. Because it was only a hairbrush, the message is that police and "power systems like racism" are to blame for the shooting. 

Cinematically, it's compelling to watch.

But, to be proficient in language arts, students do not need to learn about police, shootings, or racism. Those terms are not in Missouri's learning standards. 

And, after parent complaints, Rockwood administrators and teachers have said they are no longer using "The Hate U Give" to teach concepts in language arts lessons. 

Why did they use them in the first place?

We did a records request, and found that movie clips from "The Hate U Give" are pushed repeatedly in the lesson guidebook teachers used in this unit.

Information about another movie clip Rockwood used in language arts is here: "The Hate U Give:" Intersectionality

The guidebook came from a literacy program called "Teachers College Reading & Writing Project,"   or TCRWP.

TCRWP has been criticized for its emphasis on social agenda and "radical pedagogy" (pedagogy means teaching methods). "Units of Indoctrination"

“I found when looking at the lesson (questions and videos) and the curriculum objectives I noticed…There is definitely an agenda and it’s one sided.”

             —Rockwood 8th grade parent

In the teacher guidebook, it does not mention data or information that shows other races are also shot by police, or the risks to police.

Although Rockwood said it would no longer use "The Hate U Give" clips, Rockwood confirmed teachers are still using this same guidebook to teach middle school language arts.

To watch the clip, start at 1:00 for about 30 seconds: Movie clip

Additional information is below these screenshots from the clip:

The teen was shot when he reached into his car for what was later discovered to be a hairbrush.

WHAT IS "THE HATE U GIVE?"

If you aren't familiar, the movie in these lessons is based on the book by the same name.

It's on the American Library Association's most challenged books list several times for an anti-police theme and profanity. Here's more about the book: "The Hate U Give"

Here’s the movie clip assignment as it looked on Canvas, Rockwood’s online learning platform. Notice: “power systems like racism,” and, “survival lesson if they are stopped by the police.” 

Screenshot from Canvas, Rockwood's online learning platform.

ACTION:

Parents submitted a formal challenge to the Critical Literacy unit that used this clip, and “The Hate U Give.”

DECISION: 

Officially, the decision was to retain without restriction (meaning, no changes)

As referenced above, Rockwood says the movie and book of "The Hate U Give" are no longer being used to teach concepts in class lessons. 

But:

The book and movie are still in Rockwood’s school libraries and the book is on Rockwood’s approved list for reading in language arts classes in both middle and high schools.

_______

DETAILS

Language Arts, Critical Literacy unit

Complaints from Spring semester, 2020-2021

Movie clips from "The Hate U Give" are promoted in the lesson guidebook from the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project.

Parent Concerns:

Divisive; Not language arts.

Portrays police as racist.

One-sided; no data or context.