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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be concerned about this school trip?

51 replies

manicinsomniac · 26/06/2016 18:55

Please tell me I am being ridiculous and crazy.

My daughter's going on a school trip to the houses of Parliament tomorrow and I'm suddenly unreasonably worried. Do you think it will be a safe place tomorrow? she's also mixed race which really really really shouldn't make a difference but somehow it makes me a bit more twitchy

I have never been 'that' parent. I can't be because I'm also a member of staff! And it's probably just because it's been an unemotional, scaremongering weekend. But I don't know.

Tell me to get a grip! (I'm not going to keep her out of it by the way - I'll just worry quietly!)

(half thinking that there'll be a panicked phonecall tomorrow telling us they're far too busy to see kids anyway?)

OP posts:
PlatoTheGreat · 26/06/2016 19:53

I pretty much doubt someone would be racist to a child.

My dc would disagree :(

NotYoda · 26/06/2016 19:58

At the risk of sounding patronising: London is really all right

I'd rather be a mixed-race person here than anywhere else in the country

WorraLiberty · 26/06/2016 19:59

"Lots of racist incidents" in London, since Friday morning?

How did I miss this? Confused

Do you have a link please?

LynetteScavo · 26/06/2016 20:02

I also disagree about the racism, but I think on a school trip such as the OP has mentioned, her DC will be very, very safe. I do think it will be a safe place to be tomorrow.

If you really are still concerned in the morning , speak to a member of staff going on the trip, express your concerns, and ask they keep your DD close to them. They will think you are slightly, bonkers, but I bet they will do as you ask.

exLtEveDallas · 26/06/2016 20:04

I think it's 'lots of racist incidents' reported across the country, rather than just in London. There is a FB page and a few news reports of 200 odd incidents currently being looked into.

It's worrying for sure, and I can see why OP is wobbling. But it's one of those 'don't let them win' issues, that we (UK we) have to rail against.

Starfish28 · 26/06/2016 20:14

Sadly I can understand what your saying I have seen some of the posts re racist events happening post the vote. But I do think it will be fine. As others have pointed out I very much doubt someone would do that to a child. They will be very well supervised and given what a multi-cultural city London is I'm pretty sure most people she encounters will be as saddened and bewildered by the vote as everyone else. I was in parliament last week, security is incredibly tight so who is able to enter the building is carefully controlled. It is such an impressive thing to see on an ordinary day just think how much buzz there will be for her to see. Good luck we are leaving in such an uncertain time.

specialsubject · 26/06/2016 20:15

I raise my hat to the very sensible poster who kits her kid out with the important information and emergency cash, all secured where it can't be lost. And all ON PAPER, no reliance on gadgetry.

to answer the question; as long as she isn't trampled in the rush of resigning shadow cabinet members she'll be fine! Hope she enjoys her day.

Original poster
manicinsomniac · 26/06/2016 20:15

Thanks again for the reassurances.

I should have been clearer in the OP sorry - I am clearly assuming everyone can see inside my head! Grin I am not worried about London. We spend half our weekends and holidays there, I know it very, very well and am only 45 minutes outside it.

I am worried specifically about this week and the houses of parliament. I'm worried it will be a target for hatred, riots and protests. But lots of posters have reassured me about security and business as normal. So all good (almost!)

OP posts:
trafalgargal · 26/06/2016 20:26

So your daughter is getting off a coach at a drop off point right by the HoP - will be entering the building - with teachers and classmates ....having a tour......getting back on the coach and returning to school. Which part of this journey do you feel is riskier because she is mixed raced exactly ?

The HoP doesn't allow randoms in on any day - even more so at times where it is reasonable to expect heightened security.

The fact you say you are school staff is probably the most worrying part of your post- hopefully you work in a non contact position.

WorraLiberty · 26/06/2016 20:27

Ahh I see what you mean OP.

Still, I think any protests tend to be well organised in that surrounding area and I doubt anyone would have had time to organise one by tomorrow.

FinallyMadeIt · 26/06/2016 20:32

I'm mixed myself and I've lived in London for the whole of my life and I've never had anyone be racist towards me, the majority of children in my children's school are of a Caucasian background and they haven't experienced any racial comments.

Just as I thought that racism was dead.

LyndaNotLinda · 26/06/2016 20:32

Worra - there are a couple of threads on here cataloguing racist incidents and some of them are happening in London.

And right now, I would be worried about a mixed race child being subject to racist abuse.

I wouldn't normally but the referendum seems to have made some people think they voted for white power, rather than an exit from the EU

Starfish28 · 26/06/2016 20:33

trafalgargal The fact you say you are school staff is probably the most worrying part of your post- hopefully you work in a non contact position.
What a truly unpleasant and unnecessary thing to say.

londonrach · 26/06/2016 20:33

Op your dd is one of the luckiest people out there. Shes going to a place where tomorrow history might be decided. Its probably one of the best days ever to visit! We been and its amazing experience but what id give to sit and listen to pm question time tomorrow. Hopefully this experience will give her an interest in politics for the rest of her life!

HostaFireandIce · 26/06/2016 20:38

I pretty much doubt someone would be racist to a child

I envy you your naivete!

Lunde · 26/06/2016 20:52

As others have pointed out I very much doubt someone would do that to a child.
There have been quite a few racist incidents involving children since Friday - kids crying in school on Friday because they had been heckled on the way to school by adult and kids alike threatening them with deportation telling them that immigrants must get out. These have been reported from all over Britain. It is a scary anger that has been whipped up that some people are taking to extremes

Having said this although I understand the concern I think the type of school trip that the OP is talking about will be fine - Parliament will be crawling with Police and security on Monday so I think it will be fine.

Now where to I start on the trip that DD is going on to the Palestinian Authority in September?

CurbsideProphet · 26/06/2016 20:57

I work at a school and can confirm that racists aren't troubled by the age of the person they are heckling/harrassing.

Starfish28 · 26/06/2016 20:59

Lunde that is awful. I did mean in this context. I can believe that people are racist to children - honestly some days I despair at the world we live in

LyndaNotLinda · 26/06/2016 21:00

On another thread, someone has cited an incident of a racist epithet being thrown at a preschooler

hidingwithwine · 26/06/2016 21:05

My DD is about to board a train at sparrow fart to travel down to London for a school trip lasting most of the week. It's never crossed my mind that she's in any more danger than she might be at any other time. My DS1 left on a trip to Belgium and France this morning...didn't occur to me to worry about his safety much either. I must be a slack parent Hmm

SitsOnFence · 26/06/2016 21:15

My DH is working at the Palace of Westminster at the moment (not an MP!) Security is very tight, both outside and inside the building.

Should there be any over enthusiastic protests, I'm sure they'll usher them in via a different entrance.

SitsOnFence · 26/06/2016 21:25

DH said schools use the visitors' entrance, which is further down from where everyone demonstrates at Parliament square and outside the members' entrance. So I don't think you need to worry.

LynetteScavo · 26/06/2016 21:32

sparrow fart???

FinallyMadeIt · 26/06/2016 21:36

HostaFireandIce

Well I don't watch television, all I have heard people speaking about this week is the vote in or out which I have don't have any knowledge on, probably explains why I said I doubt anyone would be racist towards a child.

ConcreteUnderpants · 26/06/2016 21:47

OP, yes, get a grip Wink

My eldest went to the H of P on a school trip last year. Had an absolutely fabulous time and said it was one of the most interesting and informative trips she's ever been on. She said it was all very safe, with armed guards in the entrance etc.
Sure your daughter will be fine and have a great day.Smile

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