By: Jamal Rivers
Updated: Oct. 13, 2017
Originally Published: Oct. 13, 2017
In 2017, it seems like the absurdity surrounding discussions of race and history has reached new heights. Now, we are facing a so-called “choose your own adventure” video game that allows kids to step into the shoes of a young slave. Yes, you heard that right—a real game where children can play as a slave. It’s hard to believe this has been around since 2012, and yet it’s only now coming to light. White nonsense truly knows no bounds.
The program, called Mission US, offers interactive simulations meant to teach students about American history. The specific game in question, Flight to Freedom, features a 14-year-old girl named Lucy, who is enslaved on a Kentucky plantation and attempting to escape. The game involves navigating through her dangerous journey, where she faces brutal beatings, all framed as a game for kids. Parents of a seventh-grader at a Phoenix K–8 school were shocked when they learned about this game. One parent, Marcus James, shared with USA Today, “When my son described the game to me, I was like, ‘No way that’s acceptable.’”
The game touts creating “historical empathy” as one of its educational goals. However, I can’t help but think that there are better ways to foster understanding of such a painful part of history than by making it a game. Slavery isn’t a trivial matter, and asking children to engage with it as if it were a pastime is simply inappropriate.
Imagine the brainstorming session that gave rise to this concept: a group of people saying, “Let’s create a game where kids can pretend to be slaves! What a brilliant idea!” Spoiler alert: It’s not brilliant; it’s misguided. Slavery is a complex and traumatic subject, far too intricate to reduce to game mechanics. Instead of games, there are plenty of books and resources that provide a more respectful and accurate portrayal of this dark chapter in history.
In the game, Lucy faces choices that trivialize the brutal reality of enslaved people’s lives. For example, she can either keep a low profile or act out by setting a fire in the smokehouse, leading to consequences that seem far removed from the real stakes of survival during that period. If she manages to escape to Ohio, she meets white abolitionists who, while appearing supportive, ultimately abandon her in her time of need. It’s a tone-deaf representation that only adds to the absurdity of the entire project.
Research from the game’s producers claims that stepping into the shoes of historical figures creates a “more personal and meaningful connection” to complex topics. But let’s be clear: This isn’t a historical adventure like the Revolutionary War or the Dust Bowl. Slavery is a painful legacy that continues to affect lives today. We owe it to children to teach them about it in a way that respects its gravity.
Learning about slavery is crucial for understanding our past and the ongoing journey toward equity. I would much prefer to have open, honest conversations with my child rather than discovering he’s been playing a game that trivializes our history.
So, kudos for trying, but we need to do better than turning the suffering of an entire race into a video game.
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