School apologizes for photo appearing to show black girl on leashes

Author: CBS Boston
Published:
School officials in Massachusetts apologized for this controversial photo. (Photo via Facebook / CBS Boston)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (CBS Boston) There is growing outrage over a classroom photo taken at a Massachusetts elementary school that administrators say has been taken out of context.

It was taken during an enrichment program at Mitchell Elementary School about pilgrims, but it’s now become a lesson in appearances. Some say it looks like a young black girl being enslaved by her classmates.

“If you look at that picture out of context, what are you going to think. It’s clearly what it looks like, it’s disgusting,” said a parent who did not want to be identified.

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Social media exploded when the photo was posted. School officials say the instructor in the photo is the director of education at Plimoth Plantation, a nonprofit museum.

The straps that are pictured around the eight year old girl are so-called “lead strings” used in the 17th century to keep children from wandering or to help them learn to walk. The girl apparently volunteered to take part in the lesson.

Parent Andrea St. Clare was so stunned she picked up her child early from school. “It seems like enslavement of a person. Even the color of the child has nothing to do with it,” she said.

Superintendent Derek Swenson issued a statement saying, “It was never the intent of the lesson to demean or degrade any one person or group. The Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District sincerely apologizes to the students, staff and community at large for this unfortunate incident.”

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Some parents say it could have been handled better. “I can’t imagine anyone meant any harm, but the basic fact is someone wasn’t thinking,” said a parent picking up their children from school.

The parents of the student say they have met with administrators. A spokesperson for Plimoth Plantation also apologized but said it’s a program they’ve taken to numerous classrooms.

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