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Original poster

Seriously upset after a cub gangshow

64 replies

MrsGracey · 20/02/2011 19:49

This week we went along to support my 10 year old in his cub gangshow.

To say my husband and I were horrified would be an understatement.

The show opened with a racist restaurant scene where a white child doing a dodgy asian accent was subjected to queries from young girls where they were asked is they wanted a drink and replied they did not smoke weed! And ended in the restaurant owner poisoning 2 customers and blowing up the others with a bomb!

The a Scout leader dressed as a woman openly fondled his breasts in a psychic scene...even my 10 year old found this inappropriate.

I thought, foolishly that in a multi cultural Leicester that there would be adults showing my son how we live harmoniously and not exposing him to overt sexual acts. Was I wrong??

I have raised my son to be tolerant and compassionate towards others, and I'm beginning to wonder if I'm in a minority.

Do I complain? Who to? My son will not be going back, as I feel as if I entrusted my son to like minded adults and they betrayed my trust.

I think I just need to know I am not being overly sensitive.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsGracey · 20/02/2011 20:06

@ Maryz I agree about the paper, I think that is a step too far, but I do think that like schools, the Cub/Scout Associations need some guidance on what is acceptable

OP posts:
jovaughn · 20/02/2011 20:13
Hmm
southeastastra · 20/02/2011 20:15

the 'boob thing' sounds like something christopgher biggins would do in pantomine from the sound of it

talk to the leader before you get your knickers in a twist

lalalonglegs · 20/02/2011 20:19

Completely agree with southeastastra. Afaik, scouting leaders are unpaid volunteers and, whether you think it was appropriate or not, this man probably put a lot of effort into it and you want to go in all guns blazing to the area officer. At least give him a chance to give his side of the story - it sounds like classic pantomime dame stuff to me. (The first sketch just sounds odd.)

Original poster
MrsGracey · 20/02/2011 20:21

@ fortyplus I've seen the sketch before and it made me laugh, more because it show the ignorance we are all aware of, but we all fail to tackle.

I was offended at the cub show because we live in an increasingly volatile world and to show such prejudice to such young children in the name of comedy, does not help anyone teach the correct lessons. There are idiots in all walks of life, in all religions and in all areas of the world, as adults we understand that everyone is entitled to their view, and we may even laugh at inappropriate material, but we understand it's inappropriate.

I do not want bigots influencing my son, and so I have removed him from Cubs, the right thing for our family.

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 20/02/2011 20:23

yes, cos the fact that he is unpaid and put lots of effort in makes racism ok doesn't it Hmm

complain. loudly. a lot.

this is utterly inappropriate and should NOT be happening

southeastastra · 20/02/2011 20:24

i bet everything about the op was slightly lost in translation

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 20/02/2011 20:24

I don't get the Asian-weed thing Confused

booob things sounds like classic pantomime to me as well.

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 20/02/2011 20:27

actually the first sketch sounds like the sort of odd plot my 10 and 7yr old would probably make up (poisoning, blowing things up) if given half a chance Blush

Original poster
MrsGracey · 20/02/2011 20:32

I agree that 10 year olds come up with plots like this but shouldn't leaders be guiding them in what is acceptable.

I am very tolerant, I like most people and forgive most things, however my son is still forming his view of the world and a skewed view stops him being able to do this. As I said, adults have, we hope, a slightly more rational and fuller view of world events, 10 year olds still require guidance.

OP posts:
caffelatte · 20/02/2011 20:35

No Mrs Gracey - a skewed view should be part of his view forming education. Sooner or later he'll have to learn to differentiate you see and if you sanitize everything that won't be easy for him. By the way I don't believe your story and I'm curious as to why you haven't gone straight to the Daily Mail with this?

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 20/02/2011 20:42

well I try and and try and then try some more (and then usually give up) to stop my DS's coming up with "stories" with plots like that while they're playing with their toys.........

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 20/02/2011 20:45

BTW - if yours was a proper Gang show you went to - you'd better tell Hinckley District to amend their website........as they claim they're the only remaining Gang show in Leicestershire Shock

cakeywakey · 20/02/2011 20:47

Yep, sounds like this needs to be taken up with the district commisioner. It might be worth copying in the Division Commissioner as well so that a few levels are aware of the issue. However misguided, it does needs addressing.

Would you be able to enroll your DS in another cub pack OP? If he wanted to go that is.

Original poster
MrsGracey · 20/02/2011 20:48

@ caffelatte, the story is very true. I wouldn't go straight to the press because I always like to mull over my decisions, plus I honestly believe this is a case of people not clearly thinking through what they were presenting.

My son is home schooled, he has previously been at school and we were amazed at the guide lines issued for plays, etc. But I'm beginning to understand why the guidelines are in place.

I grew up with a half asian sister who was mercilessly bullied for skin colour and race through out her school career. I chose to live in Leicester one of the most culturally diverse cities of the UK and I know the importance of us all living together and trying to understand each others cultural differences. My daughters are half Jewish and believe me as a none Jew I know what it is to have prejudice aimed at you for something you had no choice over.

The Cubs Show was everything I did not want for me, or my family, I was shocked and upset. I agree children need not to have things sanitized however we really need to teach tolerance before we allow any form of prejudice to be introduced.

OP posts:
caughtinanet · 20/02/2011 20:52

I didn't think you could be half Jewish - isn't it all or nothing (showing my ignorance maybe but I thought you had to have a Jewish mother to be Jewish) ?

Original poster
MrsGracey · 20/02/2011 20:54

True my daughters father is Jewish, they went to reform Jewish Sunday School, and we followed every ceremony.

True you can only be Jewish, fully Jewish if your Mother is, however my daughters, with a Gentile as their mother follow the Jewish faith!

OP posts:
caughtinanet · 20/02/2011 20:59

Thansk MrsG - I'm always aware that my knowledge of religions other than my own isn't as wide as it should be.

Was the gang show an official ticket type of show or was it something done in the scout hut just for friends and family ?

Original poster
MrsGracey · 20/02/2011 21:01

I wasn't doubting that, just the English language occasionally fails us in descriptive terms, so Half-Jewish is the closest I can come up with. It was for friends and family, some of which were very young brothers and sisters.

OP posts:
cakeywakey · 20/02/2011 21:19

BTW the commissioners are volunteers too, but they should take your concerns seriously and take appropriate action.

losingallmarbles · 20/02/2011 21:30

Please remember that all the people running scouts and cubs are volunteers - ok they got this spectacularly wrong, but if your son is 10 he has probably had at least four years in this unit. I assume that during that time you have been happy with care that he has received.

I think you should bring it to the attention of his district comissioner, but please don't go to the press.

Original poster
MrsGracey · 20/02/2011 21:30

Thank you cakeywakey

OP posts:
BaroqueAroundTheClock · 20/02/2011 21:31

sorry just going to ask Was the gang show an official ticket type of show or was it something done in the scout hut just for friends and family ? again

caughtinanet · 20/02/2011 21:36

Baroque - MrsG did answer my question "It was for friends and family, some of which were very young brothers and sisters."

Sounds like it was more of an informal type of show rather than one for which tickets were sold.

Misjudged maybe but probably not meant to be offensive - I'd give the benefit of the doubt this time - cock up rather than conspiracy.

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 20/02/2011 21:37

ahhh sorry didn't see that answer Blush

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