AIBU to think this is racism showed by DS's school?

[user1490294831]

My DS is 12. He is African-American. They have an end of year show where children audition to perform an act. DS dances and auditioned with that. I told him to prepare to not get in because I'm sure lots of children will audition. So we aren't bothered that he didn't get a part.

However, he was told by the 'judges' (teachers from music department) that 'lots of black children can dance, so it doesn't seem original enough for the show'. Spoke to lady from the music department who said that it was a compliment?

I don't know really who is in the wrong with their thinking.

[BarbarianMum]

That is..............bloody awful. And wrong, on so many levels. Where do you live?

[Emphasise]

is this in UK?

[Shallishanti]

are you in the UK?
if so you should make an official complaint, that is racism pure and simple
gobsmacked

[DiversAlarums]

YANBU that is racist

[Buck3t]

I think you know you don't need to ask. Please don't say it's the UK. Please don't.

[Bringbackpublicfloggings]

That's a terrible thing to say, he is being judged by the colour of his skin. Definitely complain.

[Cloudhopping]

[Gatehouse77]

My first thought was "What a bitch!". I can't decide if it's racist but it's definitely unprofessional and I would be inclined to mention it to her line manager (Head of dept?).

[Meowstro]

They need to be called out on this. It's either a talent or not, race shouldn't factor into that. It's dangerous thinking that has no place whether, especially not in schools.

[Brokenbiscuit]

That's shocking. Please complain. Your son's talent should not be minimised because of the colour of his skin.

[Meowstro]

*no place anywhere

[harderandharder2breathe]

That's horrendous!

It's still not giving him a part because of the colour of his skin so definitely racist imo

[Feebeela]

WTAF? Unbelievable. It's not a compliment, it's racism pure and simple. Would you say that lots of White children play guitar or Asians play the violin so it's not original? Raise an official complaint.

[SasBel]

Say what? Awful. Complain, educate and ensure that it does not happen again.

[TreeTop7]

That is bonkers. Completely unacceptable. What possessed her?!

[Meowstro]

By the way it's benign ignorance which is a form of indirect racism. They genuinely don't know it's wrong and it's important they do, they can't go around alienating kids like that.

[user1490294831]

No, we are not UK, we live in New York, but it surprises me because there is quite a few African-Americans in NY.

That's the thing Gatehouse77 I can't decide if it definitely is or not and don't want to be seen as pulling the 'racist card' just because he didn't get in and I am sure lots of children would probably say that to him.

[Spam88]

It is 100% racist.

[Brokenbiscuit]

It's definitely racist. No question.

[Moanyoldcow]

Jesus I hate people sometimes. What a shitty thing to say. It's racist and also really undermines your son's talent.

I'd be making a complaint for sure.

[2017SoFarSoGood]

yes it is racist. Totally. Ignorance personified.

[Pebbles16]

This is racist and horrible. No such thing as the racist card in this situation.

[M0stlyBowlingHedgehog]

Straight up racist without a doubt.

I see your worry about being seen to be playing the "racism" card. Could you make it clear that your issue is not that your son didn't get the part, that you'd already prepared him for that idea, but that rather your issue is with the racism inherent in the comment?

I find it extraordinary that a school in NY wouldn't be on top of this - I thought the big American cities were really hot on tackling racism (some of the places in the sticks not so much maybe...)

[JigglyTuff]

Of course it's racist. I'd be furious

[gamerwidow]

100% racist, who seriously still thinks that all African-Americans can dance! Shockingly ignorant.