Unacceptable language from another student

[MillyMollyMama]

My DD hopes to be a barrister and on her GDL course, the people who want to be barristers have been grouped together for careers advice, some seminars and mooting etc. There is a fellow student who is constantly using inappropriate language about black, multi-race, other ethnic minorities and nationalities as well as displaying views that most people would associate with the far right, but not in the lessons. She even used the n word. My DD finds this offensive as she has friends who are black and is horrified to think that this person wants to be a barrister specialising in immigration law. She is consulting the student code of conduct to see if there is any guidance on offensive language. One of her friends on the course is gay and tension is growing regarding the other student's views on gay people.

My DD has explained to me that she is very uncomfortable being around this person and other people feel the same. She is not sure if they should complain because it might look like a witch hunt but she is genuinely upset to hear this sort of language on a daily basis. She is also not sure if this student is doing this to get a reaction from the other students but can anyone give advie on what course of action to take. All suggestions gratefully received.

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

Of course she should complain - that's awful!

She, ah, probably shouldn't use the term 'witch hunt' though!

[MillyMollyMama]

She wouldn't. That was my term (absolutely not hers!!!) to describe how the students might feel if they were singling out a fellow student and complaining abut them.

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

Good, because it's not quite as ironic as using, say, 'lynch mob' to describe complaining about someone being racist, but y'know, it is a term referring to bigots murdering people, right?

Sorry, a tangent, just it caught me wrong. I am really shocked on your DD's behalf too as that must be deeply unpleasant. She would be completely right to complain.

[Innocuoususername]

She is probably doing the right thing consulting the code of conduct, but is she challenging these remarks and offensive language when they occur? Sometimes easier said than done I know, but surely if she wants to be a barrister she can't be afraid of a little confrontation! Something along the lines of "please don't use that language, I find it offensive" or similar. Hopefully if she's brave enough to challenge others will support her. Does she have a tutor responsible for pastoral care? It might be an idea to have a quiet word. The college has a duty of care to its students and a responsibility to abide by equalities legislation, and if students are using the n word and similar then they need to know about it.

[Innocuoususername]

Oh and it's not singling out another student: they have done that to themselves with use of this language. They are presumably reasonably intelligent to be on the course and must realise that their behaviour is unacceptable.

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

YY, that is a great point cold, and one she could make to anyone who tries to suggest she shouldn't challenge it (privately or to this person's face).

[MillyMollyMama]

Yes she has challenged it but there have been more occasions after that. She feels it is almost as if she is being challenged to complain, hence the worry. My DD has explained that some of her friends are black, that you should use the words mixed race and not half caste and that you cannot assume that black people are not British. Also that the n word is deeply offensive. There were a number of other remarks about people not be seeking employment here. Apparently this person had never seen a black person before they went to University 3 years ago! DD is pretty good at defending her position and it has been discussed with other students who are also offended. There is an additional problem in that the other students will have to work with this student on moots. No-one wants to!!
I have suggested the student councillor route to my DD but just wanted other opinions . Thanks.

[MrsHathaway]

You don't have to be black or have black friends to find the n-word offensive, or to point out that it causes offence.

"We still use the word ..... , do we? Wow."

[Innocuoususername]

Ugh OP this person sounds awful. Racist and itching for an argument to boot. It does your daughter credit that she has challenged it and wants to do something about it.

[Lilymaid]

Code of Conduct for barristers states:
Discrimination
rC12 You must not discriminate unlawfully against, victimise or harass any other person on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, citizenship, sex, gender re-assignment, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, religion or belief, or pregnancy and maternity.

There would be similar rules, I think for solicitors.
I don't think this student has a hope in hell of ever getting anywhere if he/she is so stupid as to have and spout out views such as you describe. Someone, e.g. your DD needs to complain to the course organiser who should then deal with the student.

[UptheChimney]

She's doing the right things:

1. she & her friends need to challenge the language when they hear it. Could they rehearse calm but assertive responses when this language is used?
   
2. Her university should have a non-harassment policy and an inclusive language policy (I wrote the inclusive language policy for mine). She's doing the right thing in checking the code of conduct.
   
3. Can she & her fellow students approach the course leader? Again, they should keep it calm, and not too much detail: just that this offensive language expressing discriminatory views is counter to the University's non-harassment and equal opportunities policies.
   
4. Student Union can also advise: they all have either: Welfare Officers; Anti-Harassment Officers; Minorities Officers (or BME Officers).
   
   If I were course leader I would want to know if this were going on: it constitutes a hostile working environment for others if they have to put up with these views expressed in that language.
   
   It's shocking when one hears views that have no place in a place of liberal enlightened education. Often so shocking one is left gasping, that's why I suggest solidarity with fellow students also appalled.
   
   Good luck to your daughter -- can she be encouraged to think of it as a learning experience for dealing with difficult people? As a barrister she's going to need to get used to it (took me ages!).

[MillyMollyMama]

DD has been at the CAB all summer and done "challenging clients" training and is now doing rape and family crisis volunteering so not a wallflower! The GDL provider is not a University but a private training organisation. However, that changes nothing. Thank you very much for your input UptheChimney and Lilymaid. I am passing suggestions to DD so the group can calmly follow it up. The students do think this person is unemployable and how they got through 3 years at a cosmopolitan, very high ranking, globally renown university is a mystery. Presumably friendless and existing in a bubble of like minded people maybe?

[UptheChimney]

The other thing is, that if this young woman tried this on in the workplace, she'd be disciplined short & sweet. And out on her ear if she didn't stop.

Your DD could do a slightly PA thing and "advise" her classmate that "for her own good" she should think about her language & attitude. I'd take great delight in giving such advice in a very caring, patronising tone ...

[SlowlorisIncognito]

Does your DD still have access to a students union? They will often have a specific officer who can help people deal with issues like this and will know the best way to deal with the problem. The SU may well support the complaint, which will mean it has to be taken seriously (although I'm sure the organization would anyway).

[UptheChimney]

mumslife Sorry my comments were for milly's DD -- in your daughter's situation, because it's school rather than [supposedly] grown & responsible adults at university, I'd be advising her to speak to a teacher, or the Head of Year or school counsellor.

It's a different situation at university.

[MillyMollyMama]

At the GDL course provider there is no student union I understand. DD is wondering if this student has other issues because other outlandish, bizarre and inconsistent things have been said, notably about sexual partners, car ownership, housing and lots more. There does seem to be a need to get attention in whatever way comes to mind. Is this a symptom of Aspergers?