Racism at School - WIBU to put something on the WhatsApp group?

[CatherineCarwoodgoals]

Dd8 came home complaining about some of the children at her school being anti-Semitic towards her (she didn’t use those words - more being mean because she is Jewish).
She is at a very ethnically diverse school but is the only Jewish child in the class. Basically one of the other children raised the Palestinian conflict with her and made aggressive gestures - punching his hand into his fist. Dd knows nothing about the conflict in Palestine.
The teacher has talked to the other pupil and parent involved and dd received an apology - however she said it has happened from more than this one child.
My main concern however is that 8yr old children must be hearing at home that Judaism is linked to the conflict - this conflation is one of the root causes of anti-semitism.
I am really keen to clarify that just because we are Jewish doesn’t mean we have a pro Israeli view and it is totally irrelevant to my daughter being proud of her own culture and heritage.
WIBU to put a message to this effect on the WhatsApp group, for background the WhatsApp group got very heated when one parent suggested buying the teacher some champagne as part of her Christmas gift so cultural awareness sensitivities have been discussed on there.
I am really torn about just letting it go or standing up for my daughter and a bit of education around the difference between being Jewish and being a Zionist.
WWYD?

It's not in the news very much at the moment though. Why would an 8 year old know? They'd know about a bigger story like Ukraine, but Palestine isn't in the news that much.

Of course she should know because she is Jewish, although I’d argue at 8 most kids should at least be aware of modern history going on around them.

Argh I just give up. I am not raising on whatsapp group.

Don't use WhatsApp!

You're right OP. You absolutely shouldnt have to talk about this with DD. It's sad that many conflate Judaism with Zionism. But it's better that she understands what others may think from you so she can ask questions etc than she's unprepared. I really hope the school will be helpful and supportive and start educating the children.

On a related matter... please can you educate me on what on Earth your WhatsApp group has against champagne?!?!

@CatherineCarwoodgoals

I think it’s vitally important, in the same way the death of George Floyd is important. It’s no secret that racism develops early from deeply held stereotypes. Jewish people obviously have nothing to do with what’s happening in Palestine, but unless it’s spoken about, that misinformation festers and hatred develops.

We live near the dreadful school where Child Q was strip searched, my daughter had lots of tough questions that I had to answer. She can read and saw all the local papers. It wasn’t something I could avoid.

Why won’t you discuss it with your daughter?

FYI I am Jewish

Add me to it and I'll raise it if you like:)

@isitginoclock
it might not be the champagne. It could be assuming the default of Christmas in the first place.

our local school doesn’t even bother trying to pay lip service to diversity of solstice related holidays. It would be nice to have one where the parents tried to be more inclusive. I’m just guessing though.

Champagne - many of the parents are Muslim so understandably didn’t want to contribute to a gift containing alcohol. A number of the mums were frustrated that it hadn’t been considered when the gift was suggested.

CatherineCarwoodgoals · Today 20:08

i don’t think you should give up

it needs addressing as it’s a very harmful prejudice for your daughter to carry and have around her
it’s not good

i just don’t think the WhatsApp is the place to
raise it that’s all xxxx

take some time to think abiut how

And if some got salty about the champagne

even more proof that group might backfire

TBH it seems to me most Jews do think not being pro Israeli is antisemitic so I'm not sure how you're going to get that across to 8yo or their parents, most of who's children won't have been involved or have any awareness of the conflict.

Obviously any antisemitism does need dealing with but you need to take it up with the school , not a parents WhatsApp group.

Because children talk about these things. What they eat/don't eat, what holidays or religious festivals they celebrate, what religious text/stories they are familiar with and are often happy to openly discuss what religion they are part of.

well you are entitled to your opinion, but i dont think that is the purpose of the forum. I would be irritated by you hijacking it to use as your soapbox for something which is irrelevant to me and the vast majoruty of parents. Your target audience , any anti-semetic parents will not suddenly change their ways because of your lecture!!

Ask the school to do something about Holocaust Memorial Day, and to include all the genocides that are remembered at the national event.

Since the 1980s it has been a deliberate policy of successive Israeli governments to promote the view that anti-zionism is intrinsically antisemetic.

And now we pay the price for that.

Personally I would encourage the child to take up a fighting-skill which does wonders for self-confidence (Alas, all girls should be taught to fight!)

I would make it clear to her that if necessary she was free to call any racist cunt, a racist cunt, regardless of school policy; and that she would get absolute back-up from me.

I'd tell her about the 43 group

YABU to put this on the group chat. Not the place.
YANBU to feel unhappy about this and to bring this to the attention of school.

If a parent posted something like this I’d be horrified it had happened and have a word with my DC about it. You would absolutely have my support and I’d be glad I had been made aware of it.

Contact the CST: cst.org.uk/about-cst they can speak to the school and help them combat the root cause in a productive way. They helped a student of mine recently and I cannot recommend them enough. Have you seen the documentary or read "Jews don't Count" by David Baddiel? It helped explain the situation to my husband and was very useful. Take care

What bizzare responses from pizzamyamour. How utterly horrible to be blaming an 8 year child. Anti semitism is rife in the UK and across Europe right now. Go and educate yourself. This child has every right to be proud of her religion, culture and background as much as anyone else.

unfortunately, this sounds like kids are picking things up from home - clearly anti semitism needs discussing with other adults. It’s horrifying that another child would think it’s okay to do that, they must be being taught that which is a worry.

definitely speak to the teacher and the head. I work at a school and part of the RE is to do visits to different religious buildings one of which is the local synagogue.

I think you need to find a couple of mums to confide in and go from there. If you know the WhatsApp can get heated stay away from that as it will only upset you further. Although it would be interesting to say something and see the responses… you might get your answers! Anything then could be reported.

sending my best to you and your family OP.

I don't even know where to begin with this. Hijacking? Soapbox? Irrelevant to you and the vast majority of parents? This kind of viewpoint reminds me just how far there is to go. I wish everyone could be so snug in their worldviews as you.

Interestingly (and ironically?) isn't Israel one of the only countries in the world where military service is mandatory for women as well as men?

Racism is relevant to everyone.

I have a few Muslim acquaintances who have posted a bit about Palestine, I have to admit I'm a bit ignorant of it all (which reflects badly on my I admit) so I guess if the school has Muslim children there might be bullying arising from that. It's a really difficult one, especially given that schools are usually not staffed by a diverse team and it may seem difficult to challenge racism between minoritised groups, but they need to do something about it. Of course antisemitism comes from all different ethnicities. I hope it gets better anyway.

Bring it up with the school OP and name and shame the parents who have obviously been brainwashing their child with hate.
Your DD has every right to be proud of her culture.
If the school brush it under the carpet take it further.