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?

@SallySunflower15. Fair point. I can understand your concerns. Would any of the other parents have seen it? If so, just send it anonymously. Screenshot, print, post. If you’re sure that you can be identified then don’t put yourself under that stress.

It’s a nasty meme and I’ve seen it from some of my ‘friends’ (ex work colleagues and suchlike) but it’s not racist so if you can report then do it but if not then don’t worry....just mark that person in your mind as a bit of a dickhead.

Why would you report that? It isn't racist. Sounds like you are looking to stir up drama - just leave it.

@InFiveMins

Why would you report that? It isn't racist. Sounds like you are looking to stir up drama - just leave it.

It might not be overt. But the Venn diagram of people who post memes like this and racists is a circle.

I agree that there is no place for racism in school. But you haven’t seen any racism in school. You’ve seen a post on SM from someone that you admit you don’t really like

Terms like this imply on some level racism might be ok.

You know there can be scales of things? Like giving a man who's lewd or cheeky to you a slap is technically "assault" but it's not something you're going to be jailed or criticised for.

Similarly an older person who accidentally say the word "coloured" to refer to a Black person and be called racist, but it's such a minor thing that to call it "racist" is really over egging the pudding.

@SallySunflower15

What if it was someone who was a governor?

Then it would be reported to the governor's body, head teacher, council, PTA and OFSTED.

@RoxytheRexy I've seen and heard other racist and ignorant views from her. Her husband and sister share much more extreme versions of the same sort of thing which definitely could be seen as racist. But they aren't school governors.

My view is that she is a racist and ignorant person and it worries me that these type of people are on the schools governing body but as this particular example isn't obviously racist I will leave it. I'm not wanting to stir up drama or get someone sacked but I despise these views and it makes me sad that it's so prevalent in my community.

It is thinly veiled racism. The flag itself is a benign symbol but when accompanied by bellicose language like this it's underpinned by a broadly-understood general sentiment. People know what it means in this context. It's as if they just stopped short of inserting the word 'home' after 'fuck off', but that word is certainly hanging in the air. The poster of the meme clearly knows exactly how far they can go and still be able to assert plausible deniability. Nasty, nasty.

I wouldn't report this post in particular. But there is no way I would follow anyone on social media - no matter who it was - who posted this kind of sentiment.

It isn't racist. You can't start drawing virual Venn diagrams and then insist that people must atone for the invisible thing that they didn't say but probably would say, given the chance. I mean, down that road madness lies.

I think you need to report it. A school governor needs to act as a role model, and posting memes like that does reflect badly on the school. I'm a parent and I would be very unimpressed by this type of behaviour from a school governor.

The issue is that there will be governors who hold distasteful views and there is very little you can do about that. However as she has made her views more known you can speak to the head and/or the chair.

I used to be a chair of governors and I was part of the panel for recruiting a head teacher. During a break between different exercises one of them was chatting to us and we got talking about the areas of town, and the one area which was fairly middle class. The area this HT was in was very much a deprived area, and she went on to say that the housing associations had put some families in this middle class area. She then went on to say, “you wouldn’t be impressed would you, if you’d spent £xxxx on a house and some of the types that go to the school I teach at moved in next door.” .

It wasn’t part of the interview process, but needless to say she didn’t get the job.

@FourTeaFallOut

It isn't racist. You can't start drawing virual Venn diagrams and then insist that people must atone for the invisible thing that they didn't say but probably would say, given the chance. I mean, down that road madness lies.

Why not? I'm not saying report, or trying to lose someone their job. But if I see memes like this, I know who people are.

Because, say for instance, I say women have two x chromosomes and then someone draws a little Venn diagram and decides that 100% of transphobic bastards who beat transfolk on the weekend say exactly the same thing, does that then mean that my statement isn't true, that I automatically must be transphobic and I must then meet the consequences of those same transphobic thugs?

God yes I’d be offended.

People do exactly that Four. The 'consequences' are the sticking point. My opprobrium is neither here nor there. As I say, no reporting or loss of job here, just judgement.

@SallySunflower15 Its inappropriate for sure, its nationalist and while not overtly racist its a aggression aimed at people who believe in a progressive and inclusive society. Like, who is being told to 'fuck off' in the meme? Who does the poster of the meme think might be offended? Bet if you dug a bit beneath the surface you would find some pretty unsavoury views there. I'd screen shot it and send it to the school. Teachers should be behaving more professionally on social media.

Everyone I have known who has posted something similar to that has also been racist in my experience. Every last one.

I think judgement is neither here nor there, tbh, judge away. Clearly the person the op is talking about is racist, they know this from earlier conversations. This is what they should speak to the school about.

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

If the union jack offends you the you should fuck off

I had an issue with something the chair of governors said at our school ( aimed at me). I didn't know what to say, and was in the awkward position of being good friends with him and his wife. I emailed the headteacher, not saying who I had a problem with but what they said/were doing ( breaking school protocol) and the head sent out a letter to all parents reminding them of the school rules.

He hasn't said or done anything like it since, but I've never really forgiven him for it ( his intentions were very selfish and dangerous to others)

Some people are really stupid. Why o why would you publicly announce your negative stance on any political opinion. FB isn’t just for friends anymore. It’s the first place people go to check you out for employment or just to see what type of person you are. Idiots.

However, in the current climate (which is relevant), then the underlying message could easily be seen as 'we're British. Like it or lump it

and that could just as easily be a taunt directed AT white racists/nationalist skinheads, by the many patriotic people who are proud to be both BAME and British.

IOW, if that's what she said, IME it would not be enough to prove anti-BAME bias by that FB poster.

Better to wait and collect some far more damning evidence .
then complain with proof direct to the LEA, bypassing the school and governors.

That's not racist. The person who posted it probably is, but that post isn't.

This. I would unfollow TBH.