A curriculum working group for the Texas State Board of Education suggested replacing the term ‘slave trade’ with ‘involuntary relocation’ for younger pupils.
The suggestion arose from a state law – Senate Bill 3 – to counter the teaching of Critical Race Theory, and the report in question had aimed to make the language age-appropriate.
Keven Ells, chair of the Texas State Board of Education, said that the Board has unanimously rejected the formulation and ‘directed the work group to revisit that specific language.’
He added: ‘This board is committed to the truth, which includes accurate descriptions of historical events.’
Another member of the board, Aicha Davis, told CNN that while one could have understanding for the concerns about age appropriateness, it was important to convey history accurately: ‘How do we continue to put more of these types of stories into our social studies classes, and how we make sure our younger students do have access to this, and it is age-appropriate, but at the same time, it is building a foundation of truthful knowledge that our students really really, really deserve to know.’