Jada Williams, Student, Allegedly Harassed For Award-Winning Essay Comparing School To Modern Slavery (VIDEO)

When Jada Williams, a 13-year-old student at Rochester's School No. 3, wrote an essay making comparisons between a slavemaster discouraging Frederick Douglass from learning to read and modern education struggles in her district, the teen didn't expect a wave of controversy -- but she ended up switching schools because of it, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports.

“When I find myself sitting in a crowded classroom where no real instruction is taking place I can say history does repeat itself,” Jada wrote in her essay, according to the Democrat and Chronicle. “I feel like not much has changed. Just different people. Different era. The same old discrimination still resides in the hearts of the white man.”

Williams said she began to feel singled out by teachers after turning the essay in to her English class, earning "Ds" -- a change from her previous "As. She also said the school's treatment of her changed in general, the Rochester City Newspaper reports.

"I love to go to school and I feel like they're taking that away from me," Williams told the paper while fighting back tears.

Her parents transfered her to School No. 19, but after witnessing several fights in the first few days of her attendance, Williams told the City Newspaper she doesn't feel comfortable there either.

Friday afternoon, Williams and her parents got the apology they've been waiting for.

"We could have responded better," Superintendent Bolgen Vargas said, according to WHEC-TV. "This is a situation that was definitely not handled the best way.”

Vargas went on to say that while the reaction from the teachers is understandable, students should be able to express their opinions at school without fear of punishment. As to whether the teachers who allegedly harassed Williams would be punished, Vargas would not go into detail.

Click here to watch Williams recite her essay for an audience.

WATCH:

Comments

[sassiestkat]

05:10 AM on 08/04/2012

I have no doubt that this has been young Jada's perception based on her very sobering experiences. However, I believe this has more to do with poverty than simply race. Were I in her shoes, with myself and my fellow students being the majority and my teachers the minority, I would certainly correlate the two. I am not naive enough to discount a racial link here, one that is quite complex at that, however I believe the greater evil in our society is allowing such rampant and crippling poverty.

[Holly Figueroa OReilly]

10:57 AM on 06/19/2012

I'm late the story here, I know. I haven't read all of 329 comments, but I just wanted to say thank you to not only Jada, but to her adult role models. Without support at home and in her immediate community, she would not have been able to develop the intellectual curiosity to put together such a cogent, direct essay. Most people recognize that public education is broken in a lot of places, but it took a 13 year old to shine a light into one of most insidious institutionalized racist practices in our country. I would be proud to be her mother, and am thrilled when my children are able to read about history as a living thing, rather than a bunch of dates to spit out for a test and then forget.

[Kyle Ericson]

09:56 PM on 05/02/2012

"Vargas went on to say that while the reaction from the teachers is understandable, students should be able to express their opinions at school without fear of punishment."

Since when is a teacher's negative response to a child expressing herself/himself understandable?

[sassiestkat]

05:36 AM on 08/04/2012

Earlier this evening, I was in line waiting to pay for books at my daughters' school book fair. The school is Pre-K to 5th grade and I heard a father tell his daughter, who looked to be 4th or 5th grade "You know, if you take that test and fail, you're going to completely embarrass yourself." Just prior to this, a school administrator had mentioned a the school's open house that testing was available to recognize exceptionally academically gifted students. His daughter excitedly expressed interest in taking the test.

It took all I could to not tell this sad sack of abusive dung exactly what I thought of him but instead, I quietly said to the girl "Go for it...and pass or not, go for it every single year and be proud you did." That a 'father' would say this to a child, especially of that age, and would say it in public just completely galls me. What a horrible excuse for a human being to say such a thing. Shame on those who dare to step on the educational efforts of a child with callous disregard.

My girls, ages 5 & 6, know and practice this simple acronym: THINK before you speak-

T- Is it True?
H- Is it Helpful?
I- Is it Inspiring?
N- Is it Necessary?
K- Is it Kind?

Constructive criticism is necessary and is also all of the above. Jada's teachers' responses are none of these things.

[edeestone]

12:52 AM on 04/12/2012

I was a very smart and independent learner at your age, too, Jada. Before Environmental Science was ever invented I used to ask about recycling and teachers told me not to worry about it! It is their loss not to want you!

I have been a high school biology teacher 30 years and continued to experience what you are going through now and what I went through as a child. I've been harassed and shifted around to at least 10 different school districts as a teacher with no reason ever given. I have better credentials and lessons than most of my colleagues and administrators. The way I coped with this never ending hostility toward me was to rely upon God, my God and the God of the entire creation. I was never wrong seek information or to teach critical thinking skills.

If you weren't an important shining star, no one would waste time trying to stop you. Public education has deteriorated to a fast money grab where questioning of no kind is welcomed. A small private school or homeschooling seems to be the best answer for a sincere learner such as yourself.

Begin to teach yourself. With the help of your mom you can join book clubs, and exploration kids sites at USGS.gov, NASA.gov, reach out to scientists, university programs for kids, etc. Education has changed so, you and your family have the ultimate responsibility over what you will learn and how you will learn it.

[CarolinaSistah]

08:03 PM on 03/23/2012

Truth is powerful and it prevails." Sojourner Truth

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/sojourner_truth.html#ixzz1pzJAbv8V"

[ilovecandy]

02:00 PM on 03/21/2012

The education system in the US is messed up. While I support the unions and the states, and understand the lack of funding and support teachers get, I know many things need to change in our system, such as accountability standards. The fact that even a child can see this, should tell you many others need to see it as well.

[JackBlair69]

12:18 PM on 05/03/2012

The NEA and UFT are the problem. You cannot complain about the education system while simultaneously supporting the teachers' unions.

[Lee Wood]

03:22 PM on 03/12/2012

Juda Williams isn't just another fine, hard working student under negative conditions. Oh, no, her wisdom, foresight, intellectual integrity, ability to see through the façade, to be awe struck with the epiphany of the contradictions rather than become another product of this punishing environment. Ah, yes, her work gives her inheritance directly from Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, and from all others who have come before and will surely come after her. The light of her clear vision will shine forever so that others might also see, including future decendants of the blind who presently oppose her. Yes, she is a Modern Abolitionist, and she deserves ALL protection and support. I understant a PETITION is being circulated in her defense. Salute, young Abolitionist!

[tgwrh]

11:26 AM on 03/09/2012

I read her whole essay; it's less about race and more about the institution of teaching -- it take broad swipes at teachers union and lazy teachers who are happy with the status quo. A shot across the bow of public education, and she's right.

[Kyle Ericson]

09:57 PM on 05/02/2012

Thank you....

[jcappleton]

05:27 AM on 03/09/2012

Where are the thousands of post on this cite to support this critical deep-thinking child? Why did her plight have to be brought to the media’s attention by the conservative right? Is the reason there are so few posts because the school system she is questioning is controlled by the progressives?

In this day and age both liberals and conservatives should join together to demand our teachers teach our children the truth about black heritage. Rarely, if ever, have students been told about our black founding fathers or how segregation actually began in our country.

Many black Americans served in the U.S. Government in the 1800′s and beyond as part of the “Radical Republican” party. In 1912 the ‘Progressive’ Democrat, President Woodrow Wilson instituted racial segregation into the Federal Government and after this black leaders were forced out of government. Where is it mentioned the Klu Klux Klan was founded as a Democrat group.

Where are the articles on Prince Estabrook, a black founder who fought next to George Washington? For Wentworth Cheswell a black founding father that rode with Paul Revere? For Joseph Rainey the 2nd black American to serve in the US Congress and 1st voted into Congress and the 1st black SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE? And the list goes on….

This 13 year old girl was making a point when she criticized our public education system. Her rich black history (documented by historical records) does appear to have been redacted. Why?

[Renee Johnson]

12:45 PM on 03/08/2012

so this is how grown up teachers express there dislike for intellegent opion for a student...and the school says they understand the teachers reactions...lol..

[eessydo]

12:18 PM on 03/08/2012

I find it interesting that the key words include Racism, Discrimination,, Racism In Schools , School Discrimination , School Racism , Slavery.

I think what you have here is a girl that wrote a pretty good essay on the LCD education system that exists in the United States regardless of where it is located.

This is more a case of teachers singling out a student because she was critical of their teaching methods comparing them to slavery than racism, racially motivated discrimination, or school based racism.

If anything someone should send this letter to the Department of Education to show them just how useless their policies truly are.

[Fooly-Cooly]

11:11 AM on 03/08/2012

BRAVO!

"Even a blind man can tell when the sun is shining."

[Denmark Vesey]

11:06 AM on 03/08/2012

Reminds me of when I was an idealistic young teacher right out of college. I chose to raise the difficulty level of my more accomplished students, to which the principle responded, '' these aren't prep school students''. I immediatly applied for grad school.

[cwewill]

10:54 AM on 03/08/2012

even a 13 year old child can see the injustice!! this country is reaping what it has sewn!
and you dont have to believe it! it is happening regardless!

[MrTown3]

11:45 AM on 03/08/2012

That was my exact comment last night to my fiance.

[cwewill]

12:05 PM on 03/08/2012

you were certainly correct! its amazing how our society has gotten away from the truth and would rather live under lies and pretense! they can do it without me!

[redd35]

09:33 AM on 03/08/2012

She really is "A 21st CENTURY ABOLITIONIST".This young lady has a bright future.....

[Renee Johnson]

12:48 PM on 03/08/2012

she will if the teacher don't continue to knock it out of her!! I think we will see this little lady again as an adult...Great things in her future if she stays the course