BREAKING NEWS

Long Island native identified as person who set himself on fire outside Trump trial in Manhattan

Teacher intends to sue city over slavery lesson suspension

<p>A Bronx teacher from Long Island is planning a lawsuit after being suspended for a controversial slavery lesson.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 3, 2018, 7:39 PM

Updated 2,025 days ago

Share:

Teacher intends to sue city over slavery lesson suspension
A Bronx teacher from Long Island is planning a lawsuit after being suspended for a controversial slavery lesson.
Patricia Cummings, of Farmingville, announced her intent to sue New York City, saying her life and reputation have been ruined.
The story was widely reported earlier this year after she was accused of singling out black students and stepping on their backs.
Cummings said the accusation came from a student who lied to reporters and wasn’t in class that day.
“I have been found guilty in the court of public opinion of being a racist,” she said.
Cummings says it all began when she played a clip from the movie "Freedom." It shows slaves sitting in close quarters. She says a student mocked it.
“The student said, ‘I could sit like that, that's not a problem,’” Cummings explained.
She says she asked for volunteers to come sit on the floor in close quarters.
Cummings says she never stepped on or touched any of the students.
According to a Department of Investigations report, she was only accused of putting her knee into two students’ backs to get them to sit closer together. After speaking to a dozen other students, the DOI has since concluded that the accusation that Cummings kneed a student "has not been corroborated and is unsubstantiated."
Cummings’ attorney says this is a blatant case of reverse discrimination and that the city and those responsible need to be taught a lesson.
“I'll never have a fair shot at anything. I don't know if I'll ever be in a classroom again. I worked really hard to be a teacher,” said Cummings.
The DOI did conclude that Cummings used "poor judgement" in the lesson because the Department of Education "does not encourage re-enactments of historical events where students take on the roles of victimized people."
Cummings is currently suspended with pay pending a hearing later this month. The city did not respond for a request for comment.


More from News 12
2:19
Long Island native ID'ed as person who set himself on fire outside Trump trial in Manhattan

Long Island native ID'ed as person who set himself on fire outside Trump trial in Manhattan

1:46
Mostly cloudy skies and cool conditions on Long Island

Mostly cloudy skies and cool conditions on Long Island

0:37
Officials: Wildlife rehabilitator took raccoons into her Merrick home without required rabies license

Officials: Wildlife rehabilitator took raccoons into her Merrick home without required rabies license

0:35
Calverton man pleads guilty to attempted murder charges related to opening fire at Bellport vigil

Calverton man pleads guilty to attempted murder charges related to opening fire at Bellport vigil

2:19
New retail theft prevention plan in state budget includes harsher charges, more patrols

New retail theft prevention plan in state budget includes harsher charges, more patrols

0:28
Muslim Student Association of Walt Whitman High School hosts Day of Unity conference

Muslim Student Association of Walt Whitman High School hosts Day of Unity conference

0:23
Suffolk County holds police promotion ceremony in Brentwood

Suffolk County holds police promotion ceremony in Brentwood

2:00
Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer’s defense attorney demands information on other ‘top suspect’

Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer’s defense attorney demands information on other ‘top suspect’

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

0:17
Police probe multivehicle crash on Southern State Parkway

Police probe multivehicle crash on Southern State Parkway

0:23
Police: 1 man faces charges for selling cannabis, illegal vape products at Huntington Station shop

Police: 1 man faces charges for selling cannabis, illegal vape products at Huntington Station shop

0:26
Police: Wyandanch man arrested for recklessly driving dirt bike

Police: Wyandanch man arrested for recklessly driving dirt bike

0:14
Police: Suspect wanted for stealing over $3,000 worth of sunglasses from Lake Grove store

Police: Suspect wanted for stealing over $3,000 worth of sunglasses from Lake Grove store

1:55
The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

1:30
Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

0:13
Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

0:47
Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

0:42
Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

0:23
Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road