AIBU to think this is racism showed by DS's school?

[user1490294831]

My DS is 12. He is African-American. They have an end of year show where children audition to perform an act. DS dances and auditioned with that. I told him to prepare to not get in because I'm sure lots of children will audition. So we aren't bothered that he didn't get a part.

However, he was told by the 'judges' (teachers from music department) that 'lots of black children can dance, so it doesn't seem original enough for the show'. Spoke to lady from the music department who said that it was a compliment?

I don't know really who is in the wrong with their thinking.

Is this for real? If so that's 100% racist and you should absolutely make a complaint.

That is definitely racist!!!

Absolutely racist. What a horrible thing to say to a child .

Absolutely racist because 1. She's applying a stereotype to black people, and 2. Then judging your son, and rejecting him, based on that stereotype.

Lots of white people breath, is she turning them all away for lack of originality?

If there are too many children doing a dance, or too many doing a particular style of dance, that would be a different thing.

Are African-Americans born dancing?

Ignorant, discriminatory and racist! Definitely report your concerns. I really feel for your son and other children in his position.

Woah! Yes, that's racist

Are you not African American yourself? This would definitely be viewed as racist in the UK and there are procedures for when racism happens in a statutory service like a school. I have no idea what the situation would be in NY but would be surprised if there is not a similar procedure. I would contact a local Black parents group or organisation for advice.

IamFriedSpam why would this not be for real? He has actually experienced worse in NY M0stlyBowlingHedgehog, he is a member of an athletics club and he did a sprinting competition over summer break - he was racing against 2 other black boys and a white boy. The person refereeing the race said to the 3 black boys (including my DS) that they need to run like they would when they're stealing an old lady's purse - he then looked at the white boy and said "I suppose you've had no experience of that". It really is awful and racism unfortunately is everywhere.

The judges referred to his colour - that is racist. If they had said there's too many dances in the show then fair enough but 'being a black dancer doesn't make him original enough'. I'm fuming on your behalf. It definitely needs taking further with the school and I'd be putting in a complaint to the govenors.

I am absolutely stunned!

That is so unacceptable.

A mixed-race school friend of mine (living in a very white area) was frequently told by the bitch of a PE teacher that she ought to be better at sport because of the advantage of her heritage.

Yes it is a form of racism, and even though this was over 40 years ago, her parents made a complaint to the school, and it was seriously dealt with by the Head.

this absolutely was a highly inappropriate comment and she should be ashamed of herself...

well done to your DS for auditioning ... takes great confidence to do that x

Absolutely a racist & utterly unacceptable thing to say.

Agree with the PP who says you should complain making it clear that you'd been preparing your DS for [high] possibility of not getting in as it's so oversubscribed that they've to turn lots of talented students/children performing at the appropriate level away (whatever works best, depending on the sort of school he's at...) but the comment made by the member of the music faculty to him about the panel's reasons for not selecting him was shocking, inappropriate & frankly racist.

Have they got any white girls doing classical ballet? Because that's expected...

What style of dance was your DS doing OP? Is there any chance this extends further into prejudice against certain dance [& music] forms?

Are you 100% sure that he's repeating it word for word, accurately?