In a town where the mayor and his bodyguard are on trial for conducting warrantless dope house raids, an elementary school in Hattiesburg, MS is canceling Cotton Picking Day in celebration of Black History Month.
A father became angered when his stepson came home from school with a request to purchase a slave costume so they could reenact cotton picking. His teacher had made it a class project, and it was being done to honor Black History Month at Lillie Burney Elementary.
"I just didn't think it was appropriate," said Coleman, 26, who found the events calendar among his stepson's homework papers. "The school does a great job academically, but I think this was a mistake."
Amid the controversy, the school has canceled Cotton Picking Day as part of the school's Black History dress week. According to the schools superintendent, it has been replaced with Career Day. The school's principal, Deborah Smith, could not be reached for comment.
Lillie Burney Elementary School is a predominantly black school and in the past have used the proceeds from student participation fees in Black History Month events to go to charity or school fundraisers. The daily themes for the Black History Month activities are decided by a committee comprised of the school's teachers says district spokesperson Jas N Smith.
Coleman said he told the superintendent it was inappropriate to name the event Cotton Picking Day and to invite students to dress as slaves or in overalls.
"I believe it's something that should be taught in history, but it shouldn't be relived," he said. "I think they should look at the positive aspects to show students what they can achieve."
Superintendent Annie Wimbish said she contacted the school's principal Smith, who then discussed Coleman's concerns with the Black History Committee before totally canceling Cotton Picking Day.
"I think the committee had the right heart when considering this and certainly had no negative intentions, because this is part of our history," Wimbish said.
"Different people have different perceptions, so I don't know if it would have been offensive. But we certainly want to work with our parents and listen to their concerns."
Ann Chapman, president of the school board for the Hattiesburg Public School District, said she was glad Coleman expressed his concerns.
"Sometimes everything we do may not be politically correct, but we want to do whatever is necessary to work with our parents and children," she said. "I think it's always a good idea to make parents aware so they can share their concerns with us in case we need to revisit something."
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