Internet users were indignant, because among the students appearing on the video, none was black.
In a video published, then deleted, on the social network X- (ex Twitter), Tuesday August 29, by the Ministry of National Education, five college students offer an updated version of Martin Luther’s famous “I have a dream” speech. King. For the 60th anniversary of this historic speech against racial segregation in the United States, these young people express themselves in English and declaim their dreams for the future. Ecology, equality between men and women, the fight against religious discrimination… various causes are mentioned. But in the comments, Internet users are indignant. They question the skin color of college students and the choice of fights in the spotlight.
In the video from the Ministry of National Education, 14-year-old Leo, white shirt and black jacket, “dreams of a world where we are all equal, girls, boys, women, men, adults or the little ones, the fat ones, the thin ones, the Christians or the Muslims”. Maya meanwhile, offers a more vindictive speech to Greta Thunberg. “Stop the blah blah, there is no planet B, the earth is our most precious asset”, asserts the young girl.
The video published and then deleted from the National Education twitter account.
In the comments, Internet users point to the lack of ethnic diversity in the casting of the Ministry of National Education. “And what about little whites to honor MLK fights? Is there a problem?” an internet user is indignant. “No ethnic diversity for a tribute to MLK – they are obviously children of very privileged social classes (postures, outfits)”add another.
The comments also denounce the lack of coherence between the speech delivered by Martin Luter King, against racism in the United States and the remarks of the college students of the ministry. “Surprisingly none of them thought of talking about racism. It’s too bad.” indicates one of them. “Yes, but Martin Luther King Jr’s speech is a speech of diversity, peace and equality”, specify another.
The Ministry of Education forced to justify itself
Faced with criticism, the National Education account split a second tweet. “The students featured in this video are the 2023 winners of ‘The More I Say’ competition which encourages the creative practice of English in middle school.” Insufficient justification for many tweeters. “It’s still so awkward (to be nice) Who decided to associate these winners with a communication on MLK?”, Answers a young person. Another seems to come to the defense of the ministry: “People who apparently think that the so-called racial balance is far more important than the fair outcome of the race are clearly intoxicated.”
The students in this video are the 2023 winners of “The More I Say” competition which encourages the creative practice of English in middle school.
In order to honor the memory of Martin Luther King on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of his famous speech delivered on August 28, 1963, they… https://t.co/RFFMsyMlm0– Ministry of National Education and Youth (@education_gouv) August 29, 2023
After the ministry’s response, some are also surprised at the bad accent of the winning students. “Congratulations to the children but still if they are winners, what is the level of the others? We really have a problem with this language. Do something urgently in learning for both children and adults for that matter!” indicates a comment. After the controversy, the communication teams of the Ministry of National Education preferred to delete the video on Wednesday August 30.
2023-08-30 20:45:37
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