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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Inappropriate embroidery on doctor's wall?

41 replies

PeppaPigsMum · 07/11/2011 12:18

Dh recently took our 7 year old Dd to see a paediatrician. On the wall was a big embroidery with squares, and on each square was a nursery rhyme. It was obviously old, as one of the squares was devoted to the rhyme '10 little n'! DH noticed when DD innocently started to read it out. The dr didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with this, we don't think it's appropriate on any wall, let alone a paediatrician's. Would you take this further?

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 07/11/2011 12:23

Do you know anyone good at embroidery who could unpick it and redo with an uncontentious term?

I tend to agree its inappropriate in this context. I read Tom Sawyer to DD but was prepared to explain some of the terminology and why it wasn't used now, but its not necessarily something you want to get into out of the blue.

kplondon · 07/11/2011 12:32

Was the n" word one of the actual words, or was it some of the other lines from the rhyme?

If the former, although I wouldn't "take it further" in the sense of reporting it, I would not go back to that doctor. Having that on his/her walls is so inappropriate that I could never have confidence in that doctor in general. It's so inappropriate that it's mad.

RevoltingPeasant · 07/11/2011 12:39

Shock Absolutely! YANBU. I mean, what is a young child of African heritage was a patient at that surgery and started reading it out as your DC did? Does a black mum have to start explaining racism to her sick pre-schooler? Nice message for such a child to get when visiting the (presumably white) doctor! Hmm

RevoltingPeasant · 07/11/2011 12:40

what if

HeresTheThingBooyhoo · 07/11/2011 12:40

i have never ever heard a nursery rhyme that says 10 little n. i am actually disgusted that such a rhyme exists. how could that ever have been an appropriate thing to teach children??

i would call the paed and tell him that you think it is highly inappropriate.

i am really Shock

worraliberty · 07/11/2011 12:41

Why do you presume the Doctor was white?

I don't think I've seen a white Doctor for around 10 or 15 years?

OP, I would definitely say something so it's removed.

roz1982 · 07/11/2011 12:45

This is completely inappropriate and offensive. The doctor should not have this on wall...he/she is serving the public. I'm a teacher, imagine I had this on my classroom wall?? I'd be sacked!!!

Original poster
PeppaPigsMum · 07/11/2011 12:46

Yes, the word n*** was actually there. We cancelled our follow up appointment and won't be going back - we just wouldn't trust that doctor's judgement on anything. DH wants to write to the doctor to formally complain - he did mention how un-PC it was during the appointment and that the dr could get into trouble, as others have previously. She just said, "No, I won't"

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 07/11/2011 12:46

i have never ever heard a nursery rhyme that says 10 little n

It's a very old rhyme.

The Agatha Christie book was re named 'And then there were(was?) None' after being based on the rhyme.

Just mention it to them - it's probably been up there for years and been dusted over without anyone actually reading what it says iykwim? definitely needs to be taken down.

valiumredhead · 07/11/2011 12:47

Just realised you have already spoken to the doctor.

worraliberty · 07/11/2011 12:48

We cancelled our follow up appointment and won't be going back - we just wouldn't trust that doctor's judgement on anything

Bit of an over reaction to cancel your child's appointment because of a pre 1930's Nursery Rhyme that the Doctor probably didn't put there anyway?

Much better to complain imo.

Original poster
PeppaPigsMum · 07/11/2011 12:49

We're in Oz, and she was an older doctor. No excuses, just setting the scene. Attitudes are different here I've found, certainly behind the times with both racism and sexism. Still don't know how she could think it's appropriate.

OP posts:
fotheringhay · 07/11/2011 12:50

Write to the next level up (sorry I'm not sure who that would be). It's worth a letter imo Smile

Sidge · 07/11/2011 12:51

Well she won't get into trouble if you mean legal or professional trouble.

As unpleasant as it is having that word on a very old embroidery on a wall isn't illegal and wouldn't lead to professional disciplinary action.

Are you in the UK?

Original poster
PeppaPigsMum · 07/11/2011 12:52

There were a couple of other issues we weren't happy with, but I actually don't think it would be an over reaction to cancel just for this one thing. You've got to trust your child's doctor, and their judgment - I just couldn't after this.

OP posts:
JaneBirkin · 07/11/2011 12:52

Next time, take some small scissors and cut out the racially sensitive square Smile

squeakytoy · 07/11/2011 12:53

Maybe she had never even taken any notice of it or realised what it said if there were a lot of different rhymes on something that is clearly very old. Maybe she is more interested in helping sick children get better.

MrsTwinks · 07/11/2011 12:53

worraliberty you should come to my surgery, closest we get to ethnic diversity is the spanish doctor Hmm

I don't think I know anyone of any ethnicity who would not be offended by that. I would definately insist on an explaination as to why it is still on display.

HeresTheThingBooyhoo · 07/11/2011 12:53

wow!! how arrogant of her to assume she is beyond the law WRT racism. how dare she say she wouldn't get into trouble. i would definitely go to her boss in that case and i wouldn't let it drop either till the thing had been removed and an apology issued.

JaneBirkin · 07/11/2011 12:54

Though she does sound like a weird doctor...I dunno, I guess it would be sad to spoil an old bit of embroidery. But it shouldn't be displayed in a public place where it might offend.

She sounds very old school, no nonsense and maybe in that case I would just change doctors as I don't like being patronised.

Sidge · 07/11/2011 12:54

Ah cross-posted.

Guess if you're in Oz you can pick and choose who you see.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 07/11/2011 12:54

Doctors don't get into trouble unless they intentionally kill someone - they are God in hospitals, didn't you know that?!

I'd complain to the Medical Director, and copy it to the Equality and Diversity Manger (or whatever the equivalent term is in Oz). Really, really inappropriate thing to have on her wall.

DamnBamboo · 07/11/2011 12:55

Revoltingpeasant I haven't seen a white GP in years.
Why do you assume the GP was white?

HeresTheThingBooyhoo · 07/11/2011 12:55

how is it not illegal to display racist artwork in a public building?

bnm · 07/11/2011 12:57

Totally agree with masiethemorningsidecat