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Original poster

Racist teacher from when I was at school

56 replies

judsey · 08/04/2021 22:33

I just had a discussion with my daughters about bullying at school and how they should be aware of it and report it to teachers if they see it.

It brought back memories from my childhood. I have an English first name and Chinese middle name. I was one of a few non white girls at an all girls Grammar school in Kent. The male Geography teacher in particular used to make racist comments in class and mock my non English name which resulted in the other children calling me by the same name he called me. When I told him that I didn't want him to call me Ping Pong Pang Yang, he wrote scathing comments in my report calling me rude. All the other teachers pretty much called me a model student. My lovely French teacher went so far to write that she disagreed with his comments

I didn't have the courage to complain to the headmistress at the time as I felt she too was biased and used to laugh it off instead but it destroyed me inside. I just looked him up and discovered he is now a parish councillor and was awarded an MBE.

Should I write in to the parish council to let them know he was a racist teacher?

OP posts:
CookieDoughKid · 09/04/2021 08:00

I experienced bullying at school, actually severe bullying. But it's made me a lot stronger and the slightest sniff of bullying at my children's school.....hah.... I'd be THAT parent.

autumnkate · 09/04/2021 08:08

When I was at primary school in the early nineties, my teacher decided she couldn’t say an Asian girl’s name (was not hard) and so called her by a totally different (white) name. Even as a 7 year old I knew that was wrong because I have never forgotten it.

Craftycorvid · 09/04/2021 08:10

It’s unlikely a nasty bully who abused his power with a child (what a peach!) has changed his ways unless life has taught him some harsh lessons. I am a child of the 70s and racist and sexist comments from teachers were not unusual, but it was unacceptable then and now. Certainly I never heard my parents demeaning anyone for their perceived differences. I don’t know what to say about a letter, OP. The sod is likely to deny it and might accuse you of lying. Can you join a local group that defends a good principle such as anti-racism? Write a general statement about the impact of racist bullying? If you ever do meet the scumbag, you can always say sweetly, ‘remember me?’

HumunaHey · 09/04/2021 08:11

@jessstan2

I'm so sorry, judsey, it makes me feel ashamed.

You don't say how old you are or how many years ago this happened. Abhorrent though his behaviour was, people were insensitive in years gone by and said things that nobody would say now. It is possible that his views have changed if it was all a long time ago.

That is just a thought, obviously you knew him and I didn't.

I witnessed things like that when I was at school and when I first went to work, which I found acutely embarrassing. I was ashamed of those who said such things, acutely embarrassed and wished I was not there. However I am 61 and my school and early employment days are well in the past.

Hmm "Racism was ok back then so just leave it alone".
Scottishskifun · 09/04/2021 08:13

Only you know if it's a course of action which is right for you to take. As in will the act of just writing it heal some wounds or would no response or action cause you more hurt?

If he denies it then unfortunately it becomes your word against his. Being truthfully honest I can't see many reprocussions for him on the simple basis that it's your word against his and then will go back to a teacher against a pupil etc. So the question is could you deal with that or would it cause more pain?

What he did was abhorrent and sorry you had to go through that.

Quincie · 09/04/2021 08:16

Well there is a chance that others were picked on too and might come out about it.
But are you prepared to deal with all the scrutiny and attention if you take this farther.
If it would heal the would then do.
My English teacher used to pick on and belittle one girl, she was a bit ungainly /odd, in later life she became an alcoholic and died early, probably aged about 50.

Quincie · 09/04/2021 08:17

Would any of the teachers back you up?

Quincie · 09/04/2021 08:17

wound not would

Lessthanaballpark · 09/04/2021 08:24

I think you should do it with the intent of showing how much he affected you.

When I was at school the boys studied political history and the girls studied social history. When I asked why he said that the girls weren’t clever enough to understand politics.

I sometimes fantasise about randomly meeting him, reminding him of his words, then telling him I now have a degree in Politics!

I was fortunate enough to later have a teacher who encouraged me no end and he was the reason I took Politics at uni. It’s amazing how much difference a teacher makes.

SuperintendentHastings · 09/04/2021 08:41

Would the parish council be the people to write to, wouldn't the local authority be better?

I'm quite shocked by some of the dismissive comments on here. It doesn't matter how long ago it was. A teacher at my school (in the early 80s) was imprisoned two years ago for sexual assaults committed back then.

I'm not for one minute suggesting that this is the same thing and that he should be jailed, but it was wrong and the OP has the right to voice this to the appropriate people.

Amdone123 · 09/04/2021 09:03

@autumnkate, my friend's bf had exactly the same experience. Teacher couldn't pronounce his name so called him Jeff. I was appalled, but no-one else seemed bothered by it !
This would have happened during the 70s, and she was telling me sometime in the 90s when we worked together. So neither times that long ago, really. Shocked, I was.

Amdone123 · 09/04/2021 09:06

Also, @judsey, as I said he may deny it. Are you still in touch with any friends from school who can attest to this, should you need it ?

AWamBamBoom · 09/04/2021 09:32

Write the letter but don't act on it until you are sure what you want to do. It's shameful that you were subjected to this vile behaviour and nobody stepped in to stop it

GuyFawkesDay · 09/04/2021 09:40

I think I'd be really bad and turn up at the parish council meeting (online or in person later) complete with my school reports and ask in person whether the council knew.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 09/04/2021 09:45

Yes, I would. If for no other reason than to make myself feel better. Perhaps nothing will happen to him (very likely) but once a bastard, always a bastard.

Curioushorse · 09/04/2021 09:50

Hell yeah.

And, being the cow that I am, I’d advise you to be as logical and reasonable as possible in your letter, because then they won’t be able to disregard you as a crazy person.

Good luck. I think that’s an awful story and I’m really sorry it happened to you.

Branleuse · 09/04/2021 09:54

im sorry that happened to you.
My maths teacher singled me out every lesson, because one time he made an offensive joke about feminists and I said I was a feminist, so he singled me out for mocking every single lesson.
I always had a fear reaction about maths since, and its taken me till my 40s to finally get my gcse and stop being scared of it.

I think id be pretty pissed off in your shoes

ScienceSensibility · 09/04/2021 10:17

Can you evidence the alleged racism, OP? It would be much more powerful if your account could be backed up by others or evidenced in some other way.
Not because I don’t believe you, I do, but for the Parish Council to act upon concerns about a fellow Councillor from decades ago, they would need to be very sure of their ground.

I’m sorry this has affected you so badly, but please don’t be embarrassed or ashamed of your heritage, it is part of what makes you, you.

Best of luck.

MolyHolyGuacamole · 09/04/2021 10:24

I think it genuinely was a "thing" then to pick on a difference. I was picked on by several teachers for my hair colour.

Have to love when someone jumps on a post about racism and compares it to their experiences with their HAIR COLOUR Hmm

afterthestormagain · 09/04/2021 10:31

@Deathraystare

I was embarrassed to be Chinese and still am.

Why are you still embarrassed?? That is so sad.

You cannot blame OP. Racism against asians is still quite prevalent and it can get quite bad, which in turn makes us feel like if we weren't asian then we wouldn't be targeted. Sometimes I feel ashamed for being asian due to the amount of racial abuse I get from randomers who can't seem to accept that the world is a diverse place and the fact that no race is better than another.
peak2021 · 09/04/2021 10:34

Yes agree with contacting the Parish Council to let them know about his racism. I assume he is not still a teacher?

peak2021 · 09/04/2021 10:35

As for racism against those of Chinese heritage, it increased over the last year because of the likely origins of Covid 19.

NotDavidTennant · 09/04/2021 10:45

I think you would need to write to the person in charge of standards at your local council and find out whether you have grounds for making a formal complaint about this man. It may be that they would only act on a complaint about something that he did while he was a councillor.

Bear in mind that parish councillor is an elected position, so contrary to what some have suggested here a councillor can't be 'fired'. Probably the worst that they would do is give him some kind of reprimand or a suspension, but most likely they would need some kind of evidence of his behavour before they would do this.

Ot as some have suggested, perhaps you could write to the man himself explaining how he he has affected you?

CookieDoughKid · 09/04/2021 12:33

Send the letter.There's nothing worst than RECEIVING a letter telling it exactly how it was and even if he chooses to deny it - let him deny himself. But inside, he'll KNOW and he'll be shocked just because you called him out on it. For that alone. I'd do it.

vjg13 · 09/04/2021 12:52

Agree with PP and would send him a letter as well.

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