'Who saw that and thought it was okay?'

The state Department of Education and Secondary Education has removed a controversial question on the spring MCAS exam that asked students to write from the perspective of a racist character in the novel "The Underground Railroad."

Colson Whitehead, the author of the book, said in a statement that he was "appalled and disgusted," by the question. "What kind of idiot would have students imagine the rationalizations of a racist coward who shrinks from moral responsibility?" he asked.

Under The Radar's Callie Crossley agreed with Whitehead's statement on Boston Public Radio Friday. "What were they thinking?" Crossley asked. "Who saw that and thought it was okay?"

Crossley joined BPR to talk about this MCAS question and more.