To think this isn't ok?

[SallySunflower15]

Would you find it concerning if a teacher or school governor at your child's school was sharing moderately racist memes and posts on social media? Is it appropriate for someone in either of these roles to share this stuff publicly when they are working in a school with a small number of BAME families?

I agree with unfriending them, there's a good article on the BBC today about "racist facebook friends", it certainly did affect my mental health over the last week seeing the awful things two friends were posting whilst all the time protesting "I'm not racist just saying". One of the women I unfriended I regretted not confronting her over it first, but she works in customer service role in a well known local business I think if I'd sent the stuff she posted to her employer she might have been disciplined.

School governor? You might find unless its much more "overt" that the Chair of Governors is unwilling to act (and it would be their decision, albeit in consultation with the Head teacher). Are you a governor too?

here's that BBC report: bbc.in/3e2gFxG

There is no 'moderately' racist. It's either racist or it isn't.

Its not racist. Pathetic, immature and shite. But no, not racist. So just unfriend them. Easy

Its not racist but It’s very unpleasant.

It may not be overtly racist but it is pretty threatening in tone, agenda and language.

It made you feel uncomfortable so if I were you I’d send a screenshot to the chair of governors and let them decide the rest.

It is not racist, but they are not a person I would want on FB.

I'm not a governor no. But my child goes to the same school and Ive known this person for years in a school mum capacity. And yes she has expressed certain views before that I've found offensive. That post alone might not be classed as racist but because I know her overall views and agenda I probably read more into it.

You're right. I will unfollow. I've already done this with several people over the past week!

Well it’s something a racist would post, while feigning ignorance. “I’ve not mentioned any race/nationality, so how could it possibly be racist?”

Mmmm... it's not racist in itself. There's no racist language in "If this offends you fuck off". However, there's a bit of an implication there - that certain groups might be offended by the Union Jack and therefore they should fuck off. It's not overtly racist but it could be covertly racist. Also IME, people who share these type of posts tend to have racist views.

I don't think it is appropriate for a school governor to be sharing things like that on facebook. Has it just been this one post or have there been several? Is the facebook profile set to public?
I'm not sure I'd report them for that one post with the union jack on if it had only been posted to friends. If there have been other posts too or shared with a wider audience then I might report it.
BTW, I unfriend anyone who shares racist and homophobic posts on facebook.

Its not racist. Pathetic, immature and shite. But no, not racist. So just unfriend them. Easy

Agreed. Or wait for the inevitable overtly racist post from them. It probably won't be long.

I know what you mean, OP. That kind of post is just one step inside the law in a sense. Obnoxious, and a little right wing, but I would not report such a thing. In fact, I think reporting something like that would be a bit witchhunty. I post some obnoxious and angry left wingy things I would not care to be reported for.

Sallsunflower*: Think a meme with the Union Jack flag along the lines of: if this offends you fuck off.
...
I've no idea whether she or he had racist intentions by posting that but it is extremely inappropriate for a teacher or governor to be using such language publicly. Some of the kids might see it and think it's OK for them to use such words. I know they are used on here by some people but we all have nicknames and generally school children don't post on MN.

totallyyesno: wait for the inevitable overtly racist post from them. It probably won't be long.
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I agree.

Nope that's racist and usually shared by people who say "I'm not racist but.." and then usually they launch into something actually very racist.

I wouldn't even bother reporting to school, I would go to the local authority. Racism has no place in our school system.

Call her out I say. The reason you find it uncomfortable is that it's a racist trope to declare aggressive allegiance to the nation AS IF IT WERE UNDER THREAT. The implication is: if you don't like it, leave... basically, go back to where you came from.

I would either post underneath: What does this mean?
OR private message her - "that's a bit jingoistic, especially at the moment. Don't think it's a good idea for a governor to post anything that might inflame racial tensions or act as a dogwhistle. Sure that wasn't your intention but I have seen people in trouble for less so you might want to remove it"

I'm wondering if you've come across my cousin's FB account - she is a Ta and shares her FB with her husband (just, why?). He loves to post extremely racist UKIP/Britain First/BNP/Tommy Robinson shite all over it. I have no idea how she hasn't been fired - maybe everyone on her small, 99% white village doesn't give a toss about racism?

Think a meme with the Union Jack flag along the lines of: if this offends you fuck off.

What do you mean “Think a meme...”? Just tell us what it is and stop all this “Think...” nonsense.

@GoodbyePorpoiseSpit I honestly think that would go straight over her head. She is a small minded local busy body. Unfortunately I live in a fairly rural, predominantly white area and there is so much racism and ignorance here that it's really shocked me lately. I won't say anything directly to her because if I do report later down the line it will be obvious that it was me. And then I'll be ostracised and it's likely my kids will be too. Perhaps that makes me cowardly.

I really wish I lived in a more diverse area.

@ArriettyJones no need to be rude. I'm not posting it word for word because it could be outing. But I'm sure you know what I mean.

@Roomba

I'm wondering if you've come across my cousin's FB account - she is a Ta and shares her FB with her husband (just, why?). He loves to post extremely racist UKIP/Britain First/BNP/Tommy Robinson shite all over it. I have no idea how she hasn't been fired - maybe everyone on her small, 99% white village doesn't give a toss about racism?

Oh god is she one of those Sharon&PaulSmith accounts? The ones where you wonder who fucked someone else and is now not trusted to have their own adult individual social media account?

It's always them that are the worst for sharing really sexist, racist and homophobic stuff but swear they're not any of the above

I've spent a weekend unfriending anyone who posted anything of that nature. Luckily there were 2. Off you fuck they went especially when they posted something not just racist but homophobic and my DD is a lesbian so nope nope not a chance.

Not racist. But not really appropriate for a teacher to post either.

[quote SallySunflower15]@ArriettyJones no need to be rude. I'm not posting it word for word because it could be outing. But I'm sure you know what I mean. [/quote]
Sorry to be blunt but this whole “Think..” business on Mumsnet is out of control, and in this instance the exact wording is particularly important. You’ve already got umpteen people responding to you as though what you described was the actual meme.

You might as well tell us what it really was. If she’s on here, she’s already recognised herself.

@ArriettyJones it was very similar to the meme. And I don't think I've been specific enough for her to recognise herself at all. Unfortunately there are a lot of people sharing this sort of bullshit at the moment.

Everyone has seen this type of meme. Union jack's. Proud patriots. Not outwardly racist in content but perhaps with racial undertones. And her husband and her sister (who also has a child at the school) are just as bad.

I think they're intelligent enough to know that if they post obviously racist memes they'll get into trouble for it. So clearly it wouldn't be obviously racist. Though, from what you've said, it sounds as if she is racist.

The purpose of the meme is more sinister than that. The purpose and intent is not to directly offend BAME. It’s a call out to people that the choice here is between patriotism and anti racism. It’s not but the implication is that anti racism is unpatriotic. It’s also an attempt by racists to appropriate patriotic symbols for their cause. And finally it shifts the argument away from the need to address systemic racism and privilege.

I wouldn’t give him or her oxygen. But you can get involved with the school to challenge and address racism and privilege In that institute. Force her to do something positive and that will soon expose her views. The current protests are not about denouncing racism. It’s about making change happen in a real sense.