This Photo Isn't Racist. You Just Need Context, Superintendent Says

BRIDGEWATER, MA — Two white children holding a black child on what appear to be leashes? Oh, yes, we see how that could be perceived in a negative light.

That was part of the apology the superintendent of the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District released Thursday after a teacher shared a photo of a white woman with three students in 17th century garments - a black student on her knees attached to what appear to be leashes that are held by two white students.

The photo was taken during a third grade class at Mitchell Elementary School from Plimoth Plantation historical museum Oct. 13, but it was not the intent of the lesson to demean or degrade anyone, Superintendent Derek Swenson said in a statement.

"The Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District sincerely apologizes to the students, staff and community at large for this unfortunate incident," Swenson wrote.

Anger and concern brewed late Wednesday evening when the teacher posted the photo. It quickly made the rounds on social media. White children holding a black child on leashes? It didn't go over well, though Swenson said that it was lacking context.

That's because they are not leashes, but tethering straps. A portion of the lesson focused on 17th century attire, and what the black child had on was actually a garment worn by toddlers, and the straps were used to assist them when learning to walk.

"We realize that without this context added to the photo that was shared by the classroom teacher it could be perceived differently," Swenson wrote.

Image via Facebook

Mike Carraggi, Patch staff, contributed to this report