Last week a Gwinnett County School (Beaver Ridge Elementary) had fallout because of a racially charged homework assignment that was given to third grade students. The math assignment that was created by one Gwinnett County School teacher and viewed by three other teachers at the school made fun of a history that we as African Americans take very serious. One of the math equations stated, “Each tree had 56 oranges. If eight slaves picked them equally, then how much would each slave pick?” Another math question stated, “If Frederick got two beatings per day, how many beatings did he get in one week?" What’s most disturbing about this assignment is that a district spokesperson made an excuse for the assignment by suggesting that it was a follow up assignment for what the third graders learned about the former slave Frederick Douglass in their social studies class. This leaves me to wonder, what is being taught about African Americans and slavery in the social studies class? The actions of the school, the teachers involved and the district are shameful and appalling. And to add insult to injury the Gwinnett County School district allowed the math teacher to simply resign without further repercussions and no actions have been taken against the other three teachers involved. Please join in UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT efforts to tell Gwinnett County and ALL parties involved that we will not stand by as they demean the history of African Americans and taunt our kids about their history. Gwinnett County’s recourse in this matter is UNACCEPTABLE and they have yet to even apologize to the many of us that were and are offended. Signing this petition will help to show the school district that we do not plan to sit back and watch them treat our kids this way. If this matter offended you regardless of your race, ethnicity, gender or religious background, please support our efforts by signing this petition. Thank you! (Below please find my rebuttal to a person who thought that the NAACP was taken this matter too serious and should be focusing their attention to “weening black folks OFF OF WELFARE, drugs and enhance their self worth!” “One problem doesn't negate the other Wheeljc! There are programs all across the country addressing some of the concerns that you mentioned about fatherless homes and drug awareness. But does having these programs do away with the fact that the assignment should have never been given or shown to other teachers who didn't think the assignment was terribly inappropriate. If you're going to give an assignment have it to line up with the facts of slavery and not used to mock a part of African American history nor its leaders. So let’s be clear about why many are so upset and disgusted about this matter. One thing that we can agree on is that parents need to pay up and pay attention by improving and increasing the parental involvement in their child's academic lives. The response to Gwinnett County would have been greater had more than Christopher Braxton (parent) seen and acted on the assignment.” –MsUnderNewManagement