to complain that DD had an Empire Day theme at Rainbows?

[DancesWithTimMinchin]

DH is from a former colony. We don't think celebrating our history of colonisation is appropriate or inclusive. When we complained, the people who organise the Rainbow's didn't think there was anything inappropriate about celebrating Empire Day as a theme for a history-based afternoon.

AWBU?

Neclara, Happy Birthday!

I was going to say that the Queens bday stuff has been enough to piss me off.

Maybe they could celebrate slavery next month.

But YABVU to say that it's anything like blacking the kids up.

As someone from a country that experience a near genocidal effect from the Empire, where our population dropped from 8 million to 1 million in less than a century thanks to enforced starvation, slavery and forced emigration. And most of the 12% of our population who survived were forced into extreme poverty and denied religious freedoms and education. I'd say the comparison was completely apt.

The British Empire was disgusting and teaching it to children as something to celebrate is a shameful action.

Safeguarding procedures at Rainbows (and older sections) are very strictly prescribed and there is a of training. There are good groups and less good groups, but I like to think more good.

Sorry not relevant to the empire!

The Romans had an empire, but I doubt any parents/grandparents of Rainbows have been directly affected by their politics.

was it advertised as a celebration? Your post says theme, others have added celebration.
just wondering which it was?
could have been very educational, you could have stayed to help maybe?

If it was billed as "celebrating" then I'm firmly into YANBU.

We're doing Queen's birthday though! Sorry. It's a nice old lady getting even older. And a chance to make some bunting.

Wow, just because someone leads an activity voluntarily that doesn't make them beyond reproach.

AngieBolen - "whitenessed" is the best typo I've seen on here for ages - bravo!

were they celebrating it.. or were the guiders using the date as a starting point to do an international themed night .. talking about different cultures foods and games ..

what were the activities op?

I am astonished at the number of posters supporting Empire Day. Sounds like a shocking, anachronistic day to celebrate. Who does these days?? And being volunteers is no excuse for ignorance.

Just me thinking about star wars then...but yes, as a foreigner I do feel this empire business bizarre and condescending

NewLife4Me The name was CELEBRATING Empire Day.
In terms of activities - they dressed up as royalty and had a party.
No history lesson. No badge. No talking about different countries and cultures. Just googling the date and chosing a theme.

Somebody somewhere has a real problem

Have you complained yet? I'm a Brownie Leader, but I've never heard of Empire Day before (I'm at the young end of the spectrum - possibly why) - so it's a mistake I can imagine myself making if I'd just googled the date. I'd welcome a parent explaining to me, so I don't make the same mistake again.

Merely calling it Empire Day is to celebrate it. YANBU, OP.

Only reason I would know about it is by googling the date.

But honestly nothing good comes of that anyway, just plan what you want to do and what the kids will enjoy. And what isn't massively sensitive. Sorted.

shock horror young girls dress up in fancy dresses and have some fun..

sorry for the sarcasm but the name of the night may have been wrong but the activities were perfectly fine ..

Perhaps you could volunteer with program planning next term so that you can advise on terms that might prove to be controversial

yanbu

I grew up in the American South. When my parents were growing up, having parties and community events with an Old South theme was fairly popular. Now, not so much, for rather obvious reasons. I would put Empire Day in the same category.

In terms of activities - they dressed up as royalty and had a party.

Now, I'm all in favour of celebrating the Royal family (I know I'm in a minority on MN and in my circle of family/friends) so I wouldn't have a problem with that but I'm still chuckling at celebrating Empire Day. Because you know, we should be PROUD.

YANBU, I am not surprised however, I was a guiding volunteer and left because of an issue similar to this.

Also my DD is half Irish and both her father and I would be disgusted at this, the Irish population were decimated by the empire through famine war and oppression. To celebrate that would be celebrating the death of his relatives.

I can't believe so many see nothing wrong with this, yes they are volunteers but they should have some awareness about sensitive issues.

frasersmummy I have no words