To think this is NOT a hate crime or racism

[PSILoveWine]

I am going to be slightly vague here to protect those involved but I will tell you important details.
This is a serious post.
Two caucasian friends are chatting and one has the surname White.
If the other friend says their friends name but puts Black as their surname instead and giggles, is this in any way a hate crime? Racist?
Does it require police intervention?

why would someone change someone’s surname to match their race ?

They didn't. It didn't match the race of anybody involved.

Sounds like the whole thing was very badly handled OP. Definitely have a chat with school and reassure your daughter she's not in trouble with the police. Perhaps just have a chat with her about the sensitivities around "black" and "white" so she doesn't get caught out like that again.

Racist incidents do need to be recorded in school but I would expect that to be handled by a senior member of staff who should quickly have realised that this was not a racist incident at all (unless there were other mitigating factors that you haven't shared here).

Trouble is, the rules say that it is a racist incident if someone - anyone - thinks it is. That's obviously to stop people brushing stuff under the carpet, but there's nothing here to brush: heck, there's no brush and no carpet!

If using the word 'black' in any and every context is racist, we're all guilty. Black is a perfectly sound and innocent word.

I would be listening hard, when you have the conversation, for the teacher using the word herself in any context apart from reporting what the children said.

Then tell her how many times she used it. Ask her if she needs to report herself. Do black bingo on her. Draw her in by using a phrase like 'black and white' and see if she repeats it.

If the police have not actually been called, suggest that they are and have them dismiss this silliness. Go to a solicitor for a free 20 minute consultation and ask for an opinion. It will be rolled eyes.

Unless there is more - lots more - that you aren't telling, this will pop like a soap bubble and leave as little behind.

Above all, reassure you child she has done nothing wrong and her teacher is being a bit silly. Perhaps her teacher is just worn out because of end of term?

Consider whether, if a prompt face to face apology to your child in your presence is not forthcoming, you would prefer her to be in a different class, if school is not single form entry.

Don't spend a penny on a Christmas card or gift for this over-zealous teacher!

Wtf? I would be furious at a teacher threatening my child in this manner for something that sounds like a perfectly innocent joke. Your child could equally have chosen green or any other colour as a joke. It is not remotely a hate crime.

I wouldn't want such a thick teacher teaching my child anything.

Have you actually spoken to the teacher yet?

Well she might have been being racist (ew, Black etc) kids can be sometimes, but threatening a child with the POLICE?!
Jesus christ. Really? If a children's says or does something they shouldn't the teacher should just take them aside and explain why they shouldn't. Like an adult with perspective and common sense. .
Oh by the way though, (because I see this on mn ALL the time):
Humans are never green or purple, so substituting those colours is disingenuous.

If not, English colour surnames, however, include White, Black, Green(e), Grey/Gray, Pink and Rose.

The likeliest reason the child seized on Black was because it was the opposite to the actual name White. It almost certainly had no racial connotations.

Well it might have had connotations to the child and it might not. We weren't there. My point is the teacher did not react appropriately.

strawberryoranges

Why would you change someone's surname to match their race? But OP's child's surname matches THEIR race, so it the same thing. I cannot see th big deal.

Unless OP's child really said something more than is being reported to the OP, something which really was racist. But what OP is saying here? I don't see any racism here.

I think the teacher was just "warning" the OPs daughter. There's no way they would contact the police about this without telling the parents is there? It's all ridiculous anyway! Is it sorted now OP?

So, for example your child's friend is called Charlie White. And in the course if a conversation your child called them Charlie Black and they both laughed? Assuming they could have just as easily called them Charlie Red or Pink? The joke being it's the wrong colour, not that being black is funny?

A lot if kids are very scared to use "black", "[insert religion]" or "[insert ethnicity]" when it's entirely proportionate and benign.

The teacher should not have threatened the child with police over this non-issue. It's clear that the child was just changing the name to be 'opposite'. Considering both children are white to begin with, this is just bizarre and unpleasant on behalf of the teacher.
As someone who worked with school age children, the concept of racism is difficult to grasp and some children mistakenly internalise the message that they are not allowed to use the word black at all in any circumstances. The teacher should be clarifying, not threatening a child with the police.
I would certainly complain. This is just causing a child unnecessary distress.

Honeysucklejasmine It is sad that children are feeling scared to use perfectly appropriate words for things.

I also hate this kind of thing because I feel it detracts away from real racism. There is a risk of people becoming desensititsed to the real thing when all this PC silliness is so prevalent.

No offence has been committed here.

Whether this was said by an adult or a child.

Period.

Teacher should be hauled up for scaring a child un-necessarily.

There is no such offence as “hate crime”. It’s a label used to collectively identify offences such as racially aggravated assault.

May be outing for me but here goes...

My maiden name involves a colour and an object, people often changed it to different colour/slightly different object. I saw no racism in it in the slightest, I actually contributed to it to see who could make it the most ridiculous. Worlds gone mad!!

OP, your child has done nothing wrong, just a play on words.

My surname is Wright & I cant count the amount of times I’ve been called ‘x Wrong.’ Especially at school, it’s kids.

Teachers bat shit & I’d be soooooo bloody angry at her. What a dick.

The late Cilla Black was born Priscilla White. So you could say it was in homage to her!

What did the school say when you went in, OP?