US Elementary Students Sell Black Student as Slave in 'Auction Play'

"My Son Experienced a Slave Auction"
Chatham County Board of Education Reports Implementation Plan to Prevent Recurrence

On June 14, 2020, a large banner reading "BLACK LIVES MATTER" and a rainbow banner symbolizing the LGBTI community were hung at the U.S. Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Jung-wan] It has been revealed that students at an elementary school in North Carolina, USA, played a slave auction game involving Black students.

According to CNN on the 15th (local time), Ashley Palmer, whose son is an 8th grader at JS Waters School in Chatham County, North Carolina, stated on Facebook on the 4th that her son was sold as a slave in the slave auction game.

Palmer said, "My 8th-grade son experienced a slave auction. When I found out about this, my son thought it was not such a big deal and not worth sharing," adding, "My son's friend was sold for $350 (430,000 KRW)."

She continued, "Another student was called a 'slave master' because he knew how to treat Black people."

Palmer said that the students repeatedly used the racial slur 'N-word' to refer to Black people during this process.

As a result of this incident, the students who participated in the auction were suspended for one day, but Palmer claimed that her son was retaliated against, including being assaulted by friends.

As the controversy intensified, the Chatham County Board of Education held a hearing on the 14th regarding this matter.

A parent whose son was sold as a slave in the mock auction said, "When I asked my son why he didn't tell me about this incident, he replied, 'It's no big deal,'" and CNN reported that the parent said, "I am a mother who has to explain to my son why it is unacceptable to auction Black people as slaves."

The Chatham County Board of Education apologized to the parents regarding this incident. They also reported to the board a prevention plan that includes investigation and discipline of the incident, support for victims, staff training, and follow-up measures, which the board unanimously adopted.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.