Virginia elementary school sparks outrage for 'runaway slave' gym lesson, issues apology
Students, including minorities, were asked to act as members of the Underground Railroad in a gym class during Black History Month
An elementary school in Virginia issued an apology after facing heavy backlash during Black History Month for instructing children to pose as runaway slaves in their gym class.
The principal at the Trust Elementary School in Madison, Loudoun County, apologized after parents complained that teachers modeled a gym exercise and asked students to act as members of the Underground Railroad.
The principal of the school, David Stewart, in a statement said: "The lesson was culturally insensitive to our students and families. I extend my sincerest apology to our students and school community.”
Along with issuing an apology, Stewart also said that school would formulate an “equity/culturally responsive team” to work on the issue.