Scholastic Corporation must be held accountable for the many years it has published historical fiction that sugarcoats the inhumanity of slavery, which has helped nurture generations of anti-Black narratives. Scholastic, a for-profit entity, has provided books and curriculum to educators for years.

The combination of teachers who do not reflect the student population and a curriculum that devalues Black experiences in schools is why Scholastic must acknowledge the harm it has caused generations of Black children. It is time the largest curriculum provider in the world considers the effects its scholastic materials have had on shaping narratives and ideals. 

Scholastic should not be allowed to remain silent while its materials continue to inflict racial trauma in schools. Demand Scholastic remove A Triangle of Trade and all racist materials and curricula from classrooms and provide schools with updated educational materials.

Here is the Petition:

Dear Mr. Richard Robinson,

Color Of Change, the nation's largest online racial justice organization with 1.7 million members, is calling on Scholastic Corporation to acknowledge the harm it has caused generations of Black people by allowing racist learning materials to infiltrate our educational system for years. There have been two publicly documented moments where the materials Scholastic has published has inflicted curriculum violence and harm to Black children. At no point should a 10-year old girl, or any child, have to recreate the traumatic experience of slavery in school.

Given the racism of three separate books: A Birthday Cake for George Washington, Happy Birthday Mr. President, and President Donald Trump, Scholastic Inc. has proven that it will publish harmful materials that are racist and anti-Black. The responsibility of providing nine out of ten U.S. classrooms with educational materials is one that should be held with a high level of accountability. Our children are suffering because your company is providing students with books and curriculum that devalue the Black experience. 

With learning as a core value of your company, we ask that Scholastic acknowledge this grave misstep, remove all racist books and curriculum from classrooms, and provide classrooms with updated educational materials. It is long past time that Scholastic commit to the deep and intentional work of ensuring our children are being provided an education free of racist tropes.