AIBU to think that this is political and should not be supported by a state school

[FlamingoCroquet]

(I have name-changed as this is very identifiying to any other parents or teachers from the same school. But I've been on here for 8 years)

DC's primary school informed us in the newsletter that the school is supporting a scheme to provide aid - specifically a backpack of items - to unaccompanied boys age 11-17 at the Jungle camp at Calais, in partnership with an organisation called Calais Action. They are asking parents/children to donate. This is to coincide with Refugee Week.

I'm very uneasy about this. I don't want to get into an argument about the whole migrant/refugee debate, but I feel that this is a political action and should not be supported by a state school. I am not against helping refugees in general, and would not complain if they were raising money for the Red Cross or Medicins Sans Frontieres. But I have major misgivings about supporting a group called Calais Action.

I'm thinking about emailing the school governors to raise my complaint, but I'm reluctant to be seen as that person who is anti-charity, when my DD has several years left at this school. What do you think?

Don't worry, I'm not put off MSF! I know them through their work with war trauma surgeons like David Nott - who bring life-saving relief to Gaza, Syria, and many others.

I think you're talking rubbish here. They are apolitical, as is David Nott. Putting pressure on governments is something anyone, that has a heart to, can do. 'Political' presumes a political affiliation.

underthegreenwoidtree yes of course I bloody well read it! That's why I posted it! Have you been drinking?! MSF's actions send a clear message of no confidence in the summit. You appear to be arguing with me and agreeing at the same time. Chew on your DFOD.

Political DOESNT assume political affiliation. There's your mistake.

I presume OP, you would have disagreed with the Kinder Transport too then?

I remember doing shoeboxes at Christmas for disadvantaged kids in war torn countries when I was at school. Not sure how this is any different?

Ahhh... so you only want you precious children to do things for charities that are socially acceptable among your peer group?

Perhaps you should look into supporting charities for people whose avacado isn't quite ripe enough or who's Ocado delivery was six minutes late.

What the fuck are you talking about? This has just descended into the utterly ludicrous. You are making so many assumptions about me that are just wrong. And quite offensive. I'm tempted to explain about fundraising I've been involved with in the past for e.g. WarChild, but then I'm thinking why the hell should I have to defend myself to you?

This thread has been full of people taking something that I haven't said and then arguing against it.

Thanks to the people who made the interesting points about what is and isn't political. At least they were intelligent.

Goodnight.

OP, I genuinely don't see what is "political" about providing clothes to children who are in need of them.

The context is political, of course. There will be many different views on the Calais camps, on why these people are there and what should or shouldn't be done about them. These issues are deeply political and potentially very controversial.

But we are talking about providing clothes for children. I see nothing controversial in providing basic necessities to kids who need them, regardless of the context. The children are not responsible for the current situation. Why would anyone begrudge them getting some help?

Ter rah.

Well, then everything's political.

MSF is humanitarian and non-political. It is an NGO. Like or not, that is a fact.

You can't just say things are 'political' because you feel like it.

PalePolkaDot

When I was young there was a spate of people from underdeveloped /3rd world countries trying to get into Europe by clinging on to a plane's under carriage as it took off and staying there for the whole flight a lot of them froze to death and who knows how many others fell to death.

Desperation. That's what it is.

What do you think happens every time a water source is opened via a charity?

The biggest, ugliest nastiest fuckers take it over and charge money/goods/services from those who need it most.

Jeezypeepers no one said anything about men. The op states boys aged 11-17. They are children!!

'Personally I would worry less about their school influencing their views and worry more about you influencing them.' ABSOLUTELY!

It's precisely BECAUSE of narrow minded, bigoted, ill informed parents perpetuating awful views at home that we NEED schools to address certain issues.

Clarrrp

Loving your work.

Fucking children op. CHILDREN!
Wtf is wrong with you.

Basically you would rather they suffer to make a political point yourself.

Helping these children has nothing to do with your opinion on letting them in the country.
Helping them now is totally separate from that. If you can't see that then you are thick.

Like many ppl, I am struggling to think of many charities that are apolitical.
Surely if politicians around the world did more to help the vulnerable, there would be less need for many charities?

Do we discourage children at school from getting involved with charities like Comic Relief because many of the children they help live in situations caused or worsened by their own governments?

There are children in Calais, and in many other places, who need humanitarian aid through no fault of their own. We are the lucky ones whose children are safe. Surely it is a good thing to show our children how to share our good fortune (of where we are born and raised) with those who have less, whatever their background?

I would happily swap o.p for a few of the boys in calais to give them a better life. O.p deserves to be dumped in a jungle,twat.

How depressing. You object to your child's school helping to fund basic items for young people who have nothing, who are living in terrible conditions and who are very vulnerable. Whether you think the govt policy is correct with reference to migration or refugees, these young people need humanitarian aid. I think you are setting a very poor example to your children. Please do complain, you will appear to be a hard hearted loon, who is obsessed with UKIP style ranting about migrants. Should give the teachers something to laugh about though while they feel sorry for your kids!

Not political, humanitarian. Is this not the sort of thing you want your kids to learn and care about?

This is the giving to the homeless debate all over again.

Here's a thought - if someone is in need, instead of pondering all the choices they may or may not have made that got them there, why not just fucking help them? Or is that being political?

wow

If it's MSF that's fine - they do good work all over the planet. If it's some agent provocateurs who in essence are feeding the traffickers through encouraging them to traffick then it's not fine. I do think the school would be better off paying money to those in the camps in Turkey and Jordan however and that sends out a better message and that is where the aid is needed more.