DS2 (8yo) said something horribly racist today

[letmehelp]

It really upset me. An asian couple walked past or house as we were getting in the car. DS2 asked me why "ladies from that country have a red spot on their forehead?" I was about to explain as best I can when he said "I know it's called a Paki spot"

He was genuinely shocked to be told he's said something wrong, he really did think that's what it's called. I explained what it means and why it's offensive and I'm sure he won't use the term again, but what can I do about him repleating things he doesn't properly understand?

We 't live in a particularly mulitcultural area, but he does have a handful of black and asian children in his school and he's friendly and popular with all of them, so I'm certain he's not deliberately unkind to them and I know he doesn't judge people by colour etc, but he'sobviously hearing this stuff somewhere and I'm very worried he's going to repeat it within earshot of someone other than me.

Sorry Hully, I really don't know what I said to deserve that, you'll have to enlighten me.

I was genuinely asking for help in ensuring DS2 is not so offensive in future. If I caused you offence in the process by repeating what he said, I appologise - difficult to ask for help without describing the situation though.

try harder, get a better spoon

And on chugs the racism-athon

Sorry, I hadn't realised there have been a number of racism threads on here today - this incident has only just happened in RL and I was genuinely asking for help. None to be found here today it seems

torture him until he agrees not to do it

Ok, I'll bite: Why, at 8, would your explanation not be enough for him to understand that what he said was wrong?

Wow, you're in luck! As it happens there are quite a few race threads happening at this very moment which you could read and perhaps glean some insight into your problem. what are the chances eh?

Thanks Somekind, he does understand what he said today is wrong and he's contrite for having said it - but there is something of a pattern of repeating things he doesn't understand

Ok, I'm going, I was really trying to do the right thing too

Assuming you are not a troll,I think that you can explain to him that the dot signifies that the lady is married,rather like nanny or someone else wears a ring that lady wears the dot,its not called a paki dot (i dont know what it is called but you could google it) and then explain a little about the culture - incidentally when I worked in a primary school we had a lot of this type of response and we sat and had a little chat about it and everyone said where they lived and we said what was the nickname for that area- when it came to a child of asian descent it so happened that he came from a local area where the people are called 'gorbies' so we said he was a 'gorbie',I then told the children that pakistan means land of the pure so to call someone a paki isnt really very insulting and that there were lots of interesting stuff we could learn about Pakistan etc etc and things seemed very settled until hometime when we had a very confused Asian Mum come into school demanding to know why her son had said to her ' xxx doesnt call me a Paki no more Im a proper Gorbie'.

I bet she was delighted nick, maybe calling the child by his name might have been an idea?

Apologies, leme, if you are genuine, I am sure you can see it was a leeeetle coinky dinky

The area where I live is notorious for racism,its very sad and its very difficult in a playground to try and disspell a lot of feelings the children bring from home,the incident I describe went a long way to showing that the little boy was the same as the boy who was calling him as they both came from the same area in fact they were both born in the same hospital....it wasnt meant to upset anybody on here that wasnt my intention,I am just of the belief that children no matter how young can learn and be interested in their communities so long as they are informed.

The 2 boys didnt become friends but it stopped the boy being referred to in a way that upset him.

Again I didnt mean to be ignorant and im sorry if I have offended anyone.

Flip, can't believe how harsh some of you are - I haven't seen any other threads and anyway isn't troll-hunting or whatever its called not allowed?!

Not nice and unnecessary.

well, just go up to a really big strong looking Pakistani and call them a "Paki" and see if they smile gratefully and say "yes, that means land of the pure, you are complimenting me".

or punch you

now I will be flamed for suggesting people from Pakistan are prone to violence. I'm sure they are not

Perhaps Lazzer could do that when he has a moment off from greeting the chocolate faces on electric avenue

Right, in trying to get my head round these threads, are they from racists trying to stir up hate, or just trying to wind people up on here who hate racists, my head is going to explode trying to work it up

Hilly, I love you today

Shit, Hully!