Publisher will revise textbook that called enslaved Africans ‘workers’

By Here & Now
High school freshman Coby Burren texted his mom this image of his world geography book that calls slaves “workers.”
High school freshman Coby Burren texted his mom this image of his world geography book that calls slaves “workers.” Courtesy of Roni Dean-Burren via Houston Public Media
High school freshman Coby Burren texted his mom this image of his world geography book that calls slaves “workers.”
High school freshman Coby Burren texted his mom this image of his world geography book that calls slaves “workers.” Courtesy of Roni Dean-Burren via Houston Public Media

Publisher will revise textbook that called enslaved Africans ‘workers’

By Here & Now
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High school freshman Coby Burren texted his mom this image of his world geography book that calls slaves “workers.” (Courtesy of Roni Dean-Burren via Houston Public Media)

Texas has long been a battleground over school textbooks. During the last year, experts have criticized them for naming Moses as a founding father and also downplaying slavery as a cause of the Civil War.

The latest controversy comes after a family near Houston pointed out how a geography book described slaves. 

Laura Isensee from Here & Now contributor Houston Public Media takes a closer look at what happened and what’s next.