Racism in Schools

[RedMarauder]

First a disclaimer

Just in case this thread pops up in “Active”. This is a contribution to the Black Mumsnetters board which was established to be a safe space for black women and allies to discuss issues of interest black women, from racism to African history, from black hair care to culture-specific issues in relationships. If you feel triggered, nothing here is an attack on you. I would hate for a thread centering black experience to be hijacked so that it ends about centering those who may have hurt feelings because this discussion may be uncomfortable for them. Thank you!

On to my issue

The Guardian has been doing a series of articles on racism in education in schools. The voices of both black pupils and teachers are heard. The articles are worth a read as for those who don't have personal links to schools but went through the school system here, as they illustrate that schools have not improved over the decades in their attitudes to racism and inequalities.

This is also why, as I pointed out on another thread, it is not good enough just to have a black minister, whose portfolio covers some of these equalities. We need one who went through the state school system here so understands the racist attitudes black children and teaching staff have to deal with.

• Exclusion rates 5 times higher for black Caribbean pupils

www.theguardian.com/education/2021/mar/24/exclusion-rates-black-caribbean-pupils-england

• ‘I was terrified’: pupils tell of being victimised in UK schools

www.theguardian.com/education/2021/mar/24/i-was-terrified-pupils-tell-of-being-victimised-in-uk-schools

-‘Systemic racism’: teachers speak out about discrimination in UK schools
www.theguardian.com/education/2021/mar/24/systemic-racism-teachers-speak-out-about-discrimination-in-uk-schools

-British schools are institutionally racist. That must change fast
www.theguardian.com/education/2021/mar/24/british-schools-are-institutionally-racist-that-must-change-fast

I read the article of the 12 year old boy of dual heritage whose teacher accused him of stealing biscuits and had a whole police officer talk to him.

The boy didn't steal anything and had paid for his food, but a second student did and this was conflated as one incident. I wonder why?

This happened not in the US but here. I would be livid. The teacher faced no consequences for her actions. The police department says they did not find any racial bias (🙄 sure).

We need someone who understands the system and has gone through it, not been through private school abroad. It is disturbing these things still happen.

@RedMarauder I see your point about having someone who’s gone through the system have a greater influence.

I have experienced international schools as well as uk schools and I feel that a lot can be gained from the knowledge of staff and experience of pupils from truly international schools. Sometimes to solve a problem you need someone from the outside looking in to help. Perhaps a proper reshuffle of the system by thinking laterally is needed.

I think it’s a case of so many things are wrong with the education system in the uk, it’s a question of where to start and how.

@Orchidflower1 the UK has a class as well as a race problem in schools.

So it would help having someone who acknowledges both of these are issues which often intersect helping to sort the issues out instead of having people who decide only one of them is an issue.

Totally agree with you red there are so many issues including class. You’re also right there is so much cross over within the issues.

That’s why I was contemplating a fresh set of eyes, ears and ideas. My personal view is that we need a panel from a range of schools, community and faith groups from around the world to come together to ensure children and young people of all abilities and needs get an education fit for purpose and fit for the future. Kind of a G8/G15 mash up for education!

I actually put in a formal complaint to my son's school about their hair cut rule. My complaint was that it amounted to indirect discrimination. The school actually agreed (after numerous meetings and evidence provided by me, and after several bouts in isolation for a grade 2). I actually had a race discrimination organisation involved, who agreed with my points.The school said they would change the rule, but they never did.

They no longer put him or the other black boys in his year in isolation for having short hair during my fight (good for them 🙄🤔)My son eventually left (ie went to a separate sixth form) and the school has never made good on their agreement to change the rule. They said they would add a clause to the 'no hair shorter than a 2' rule that it wouldn't be enforced if you would be disadvantaged due to your race.

Very disappointed, but I think the law is you can only claim indirect discrimination if you are directly affected(ironic!🤔🙄), or I would go after them now. I am not scared to sue people when they are in the wrong;. Maybe we should do a crowd funder?! The sixth form my son went to actually had a 'no shorter than a grade 3' rule (FFS,even worse!) but by then he was in sixth form and the sixth formers were exempt so I couldn't find the energy to care if other parents weren't caring. And I was truly tired and had other things going on. 🙄

While I was gathering evidence to petition the school, I discovered that several black boys had been asked to/had obtained letters from their doctors saying they needed to have their hair short. So afro hair was a medical condition in that school 🤔🙄

And I have lots of teacher friends. One of them said 'X is a real problem. He turned up today with his head shaved. Fgs he likes to provoke us' It didn't help our relationship when I explained to her why black boys wear their hair short. It wasn't a slight on her, FFS.

@HmmmmmmInteresting the hair style issue has gone completely backwards in schools since the last 2 decades of the 20th Century. My older sisters and some men I know had to fight to wear their natural hair at work, now you can wear it at work but if your kids go to school you have to fight to allow them to wear the same hair styles.

That is concerning. My DC are not in school yet. Is this common in all schools? It's mind boggling how schools or people refuse to acknowledge different rules should apply for different hair types or Black hair does not conform to white standards.

@Benelovencd I think the type of racism and extent of it varies very much between schools and areas.

As a forces child in a very multicultural school I observed very little issue.

When we relocated, i became one of a few MR chn and I experienced issues from a range of people.

My dc go to a very diverse selective school and they report no particular issues and they look more like me than their dad.

However my dnephew lives 25 minutes away and describes untold issues for BAME chn from actual name calling and fights to headscarves being pulled off ( girls to other girls)

I think this illustrates a lot can depend upon the expectations of the school and the school community.

@Benelovencd - I'm in London so it is diverse.

From what I've noticed with a step-child in school, what my extended family has experienced and what my friends who worked/work in schools have experienced is that you want to ensure the leadership team of any school your child goes to is diverse in it's ethnic and religious make up, and preferably have at least one black person on it.

It isn't enough just to have one black or one Asian teacher in the school as they will randomly leave as there is only so much crap they can put up with from other staff.

Thanks Red, I have been thinking about schools and focusing on the Ofsted rating and extra curriculars offered, but I think that is a good metric to note and add. I have memories of quite unfair school rules e.g. being told to either braid or relax my natural hair in primary school, and all the Black girls being banned from having two strand twists because I came to school with mine and they were deemed too untidy as my hair was not relaxed like the other girls or off a looser curl pattern. I could feel the animosity from all the girls. Its a concern, and that was in private school so my parents were paying for the privilege of me being punished and scolded for having my hair grow out of its head the way it does.

@Benelovencd red is correct- a diverse leadership team is generally important but look with care at things like multi school academies.

They often have an ethos that is spread from the ceo which can be both positive and negative. For example they could have BAME management but have CEO/ higher leadership that have different ideas and expectations.

The school my dnephew is at has a MR deputy head and, from what I’m told by dn a range of teachers in ages and ethnicities. BUT is comes from a chain of academies which I don’t believe have a great reputation for behaviour management and so probably not a great pastoral side.

I haven’t experienced this academy chain personally but, through work, I visit a range of primary schools ( less now at present) and I have seen ones that are part of chains and they have a same “feel” about them.

Choosing schools is never easy- there are so many things to think about and this issue just adds another layer.

@Benelovencd Another thing you can do is make friends/acquaintances with parents who have non-white primary school aged children in your area. They will tell you of random incidents that happen at their child's school that are racist even if they themselves don't realise it is racist.

Thanks Red and Orchid

I think you are right about befriending non-white parents. They will have some tales to tell even if as you say they don't realise it was racist (it's amazing what reflection does, sometimes when recounting a "funny story" I've told for years I suddenly realise - wait that wasn't right and I didn't feel good about it either- we minimise a lot as a coping mechanism without even realising it) or wish to overlook it.

It's really important for me to have DC in a supportive environment- it doesn't have to be perfect just committed to listening, learning and changing. I want to know that it I point out a policy is wrong or racist that I won't be met with a wall of denial or lack of cooperation but open to addressing the issue

Children and teachers are protesting in a school in Pimlico today
amp.theguardian.com/education/2021/mar/30/turmoil-at-london-school-hit-by-flag-and-hairstyle-row?__twitter_impression=true

twitter.com/J_______mahm/status/1377194925570281484?s=19

Proud of these kids.

The irony of the Tory's 'there is no institutional racism in Britain' report coming out on the same day. Oh, how I aughed.

twitter.com/SadiqDorasat/status/1377214481529499649?s=19

Just listening to a black lady on the radio whose son was suspended for a year because his hair grows upwards rather than down.

For a year?!

@RedMarauder. For a year??? For hair??? What a ridiculous punishment for a ridiculous thing for a head to be concerned about!!

Even if the boy had gone with round with scissors chopping off other children’s hair and culminating with giving the head a short back and sides, thats still far too harsh!

The black boys in my son's school would get two weeks' isolation if their hair was deemed too short. Made me so angry and sad. It's afro hair...keeping it short helps keep it manageable. They can't grow a floppy fringe

I pointed out that if the school rule banning short hair was to do with preventing them looking like far right Nazis, do they really believe these black boys look like far right Nazis? 🙄🤔 A number one on a white boy is far different to a number one on a black boy. I said go to any African village and you will see some black women with their hair shaved, never mind the boys. Ffs

Unfortunately some schools insist on hair being between certain lengths for boys and not being "too" big for both boys and girls.

So if your son has afro hair as HmmmmmmInteresting pointed out if shave it off - which most non-barbers would do to get a neat hair style - the boy gets suspended for having too short hair until it grows. If you let it grow then the boy gets suspended for having too big hair.

The woman lived rurally and wouldn't disclose the location as her son needs a new school.

Even in London you get this shit as Pimlico school is showing, plus there is the case of Ruby Williams - www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/newsbeat-45521094

And don't start with locs...

I can see it from both sides, schools try their best to implement fair uniform policies, no extreme hairstyles. A number 1 on a white boy would look very neo nazi and would present the wrong image, the same as ridiculous coloured hair or really big Afro's, especially when accompanied with a comb stuck in it.
The whole point of school uniform is to prepare our young people for the real world where most employers will enforce their own policies re appearance because they will be representing that company.
Not to mention potential health and safety issues with long or big hair so it's not always a race issue, ultimately we want our young people to be happy but they have to learn to follow rules even if they don't agree with them. It must be exhausting finding offence in everything!