Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Man threatened with Prevent for questioning transgender book at nephew's school.

184 replies

aweegc · 05/05/2023 06:50

Prevent, for anybody who doesn't know, is the government's counterterrorism programme targeting radicalised/extremist Muslims. Schools are obliged to report cases of extremism or radicalisation to it, similar to reporting safeguarding concerns.

I have to say that I'd thought about Prevent being used for some transactivists, it had never occurred to me that Muslims would be silenced this way. Although, now I hear this, it is too obvious a tactic to have overlooked and it's utterly despicable.

So, I just came across this on Instagram. A British Muslim man approached his nephew's school on behalf of his sister, because she was really unhappy with her son bringing home a "book promoting transgender lifestyle". He thought it would be an easy discussion where he was mediating between two women (I'm not commenting on that part - separate issue). I've transcribed it for anybody who can't access the video.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CriblPHol5d/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Transcript:

He says to the head teacher, "'My sister's worried about a book that promotes the transgender lifestyle. If you were going give this to the children or put this in the library, why weren't parents consulted.?' She just went on the offense....When I started to speak to this lady, walahi [I swear to God], it was just a click. When I started to speak she said,
'The way you're talking, we'd have to refer you to Prevent'.
I said, 'What's Prevent?', because at the time I had no understanding.
She goes, "The way you're speaking is very extreme."
I said, "I haven't said anting to you extreme. All I've said is that we don't feel comfortable with our young, innocent nephew being sent home with a book called Princess Boy without the consultation of the parents.'
She goes, 'Well I don't care, it's the Equality Act.'
So my question to her was, 'Well where's my equality then? If it's the Equality Act, and we live in a secular society so there's a full range, a marketplaces of views and everyone must be respected, regardless of how we conflict with one another.. She wasn't having it.'"

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
PinkFrogss · 05/05/2023 07:23

Isn’t the princess boy just about gender stereotypes anyway? I think I read a thread about it, and it’s a boy who likes stereotypically girly items, but there’s no mention of how this makes him a girl.

Apologies if I’m getting confused, but if not then I do think it’s a bit Hmm for him to go to the school complaining basically that they are not encouraging gender stereotypes.

I agree with others that what he’s saying does not quite add up.

Original poster
aweegc · 05/05/2023 07:18

OK, I misunderstood Prevent, because I thought it was set up to deal with radicalised Muslims.

Even if Prevent deals with ALL forms of terrorism, do you really view it as a neutral threat to a Muslim? Do you think it means the same for a Muslim man as a non-Muslim?

As for it being his nephew, family structures are different in different groups. This isn't an unimaginable situation in some cultures.

OP posts:
Rightsraptor · 05/05/2023 07:18

'It's the Equality Act'

What on earth does that even mean in this context?

I've also been in school not as a parent but as a grandparent, acknowledged I have no legal rights in that capacity, but was still listened to.

If this story is true, then it's more outrageous fuckery.

cariadlet · 05/05/2023 07:16

Agree with pp that Prevent is targeting extremism in general rather than Muslims. Our Chair of Governors is ex-police (was very senior, good insider knowledge) and has told us that the extreme Right is currently a major concern for those involved in Prevent.

Mixed views on the op (on my phone and limited data so will have to watch the video later).

Parents should be made aware of what children are being taught, should be able to see PSHE materials that are used but I don't know why he is getting involved if he isn't a parent and the conversation as reported above is very unconvincing.

GreeneryParsonage · 05/05/2023 07:08

As PP have said, the Prevent Programme is not reserved only for Muslims. It’s for all extremists, including the far right.

Theunamedcat · 05/05/2023 07:07

He is questioning if a book should have been sent out without consultation its a valid question

WarriorN · 05/05/2023 07:05

I'd be surprised a teacher would react like that. I know there are a number of idiotic ones but "refer prevent" isn't something that slips off the tongue in education.

Fgm would be immediate police but a request to discuss a book like that would not be so knee jerk.

Not watched the film but sure about that claim.

bellac11 · 05/05/2023 07:03

Prevent is not about 'radicalised Muslims', its about extremism that could lead to terrorism, from anyone.

Wehadabetamax · 05/05/2023 07:01

Prevent targets all forms of radicalisation, it does not target Muslims. Also he isn't a parent of the school, so shouldn't have been involved. Just from this video there is no reason for Prevent to be used.
I would like to hear the other side of the story, because I'm not convinced by this.