Black History Month Video Sparks Outrage In Virginia School

School officials in Henrico County, Virginia apologized Wednesday to outraged parents for showing students a video about the legacy of racial discrimination, NBC 12 reports.

Students at Glen Allen High School viewed the YouTube video, titled “Structural Discrimination: The Unequal Opportunity Race,” during a Black History Month program. Some parents complained that it promotes White guilt.

The animated video shows runners at the starting blocks of a relay race. The White runners take off at the starting whistle, but the runners of color are prevented from beginning the competition. After a big head start, in which White runners pass their growing wealth to the next generation on their team, the runners of color must overcome a series of obstacles, but can never catch up.

School board officials said they meant no harm and are making efforts to address the community’s concerns.

Via NBC 12:

“It is our goal to prevent the recurrence of this type of event,” said Henrico School Board Chairman Micky Ogburn. “School leaders have been instructed not to use the video in our schools.”

School District Superintendent Pat Kinlaw said this video “was not the best way to deliver” a lesson about American history and racial discrimination.

Going forward, Ogburn said officials will review potentially controversial educational material before presenting it to students.

“We do apologize to those who were offended and for the unintended impact on our community,” he added.

Watch the video above and tell us what you think.

SOURCE: NBC 12 | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty | VIDEO CREDIT: YouTube

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