WARNING: Some viewers may find the content of this story offensive.
Two Mount Royal mothers are furious after discovering their daughters’ assignment featuring the ‘N’ word.
The two mothers, Nathalie and Asha, withheld their last names because they didn’t want their children to be identified.
Both their daughters attend 6th grade at Academie Saint-Clément in Mount Royal.
Last week, the mothers say they were shocked when the girls came home with a grammar assignment that contained the ‘N’ word.
“When we saw it, we were really shocked and appalled because we never thought that kind of word would be used, especially in that kind of material,” said Nathalie.
What’s more, the girls said they were surprised by the teacher’s reaction to their concerns.
“I thought that he would have reacted differently, said the 11-year-old. “But instead, he said the word was normal and that it should appear in the assignment.”
The school, which is part of the Marguerite-Bourgeoys school board told Global News that the document was created by a publisher and not the board.
“The CSMB does not endorse in any way the use of such an expression,” they said.
On Monday afternoon, the publisher, Éditions de l’Envolée, released a statement on their Facebook page apologizing for the use of the word.
They said the workbook was produced 20 years ago and had not been updated since.
The word has since been deleted from the workbook and a new edition will be available shortly for download.
Regardless, the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR) said the school board needs to follow-up.
“First of all, the school board should look into it right away, to order this document removed,” said CRARR General Director, Fo Niemi. “Secondly, to apologize – not only to to black children, but also to their parents – all parents because this has an impact on everyone.”