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

As a white teacher, I hope you don't mind that I just stay and listen (well, read!) to help me learn.

Won't comment further as I have no real insight, but I do think the "some kids can't see the board" argument is ridiculous - teachers plan seating to account for all sorts of issues and can certainly work around students with afro hair!

I don't want the view blocked by a pillar, a person, a strong sunlight glare or anything. End of.

@solidaritea I agree the “can’t see the board” argument is a poor argument. Not different to a small 5 ft BAME girl sitting behind a six foot, 16 stone white boy. The girl would not be able to see. The parents of the 16 stone, 6 foot boy are not asked to get him to slouch/ diet. The teacher just arranges the room to suit the learning of all children.

By the time they get to y11/12 some of the boys are as tall as adults - just takes a bit of organisation.

Exactly. Just put my child in front of the. Job done.

No it’s not acceptable to mock someone for having ginger hair

[quote Orchidflower1]@solidaritea I agree the “can’t see the board” argument is a poor argument. Not different to a small 5 ft BAME girl sitting behind a six foot, 16 stone white boy. The girl would not be able to see. The parents of the 16 stone, 6 foot boy are not asked to get him to slouch/ diet. The teacher just arranges the room to suit the learning of all children.

By the time they get to y11/12 some of the boys are as tall as adults - just takes a bit of organisation.[/quote]
I mostly agree with this, however the response to rearranging the seating plan due to a 16 stone white boy and rearranging the seating plan due to a black boy's hairstyle would be totally different.

A negative reference to an ‘unruly mane of ginger hair’ why is the colour of the hair mentioned in that context ?

A number 1 on a white boy would look very new nazi and would present the wrong image, the same as ridiculous coloured hair or really big Afro's

This completely baffles me. Why do white people seem to think Black people have done something to their hair in order to create an Afro??? THIS IS HOW OUR HAIR GROWS OUT OF OUR HEADS NATURALLY!!!

Afro hair is not comparable to "ridiculous coloured hair" or "a number 1 on a white boy" in any way, shape or form.

Try replacing "really big Afro" with "really long straight hair" in that sentence above, and see if you still agree it's comparable, and whether that is acceptable.

Thank you @Starseeking.

I also don't appreciate being chastised for trying to talk to other Black posters on BMN without the unwanted input of those that are clearly not welcome here.

They come to BMN to gaslight us @Benelovencd.

No good can come of trying to rationalise with faux ignorance, I just ignore or disengage.

'They'

I thought segregation was a thing of the past and yet when you visit this board, you see evidence of othering left, right and centre.

Not to mention 'those who are clearly not welcome here'

I especially love the use of anti-racist language to cry about their wittle fweelings Star

Anyway this is a genuine concern of mine when selecting schools. Those kids at Pimlico shouldn't be fighting this same old fight in 2021.

So the boys can't cut their hair too short so it's manageable for them but they will also get into trouble if their afro gets too big? TWA are hard to maintain especially for boys who may not actually be interested in maintaining longer hair.

This thread came up in active. Is there a way of the site keeping this topic off active so that it's less likely to be read by those "not welcome?" I like to read all kinds of threads on a variety of topics but this one is openly hostile to those who aren't black. How is that ok?

It's not even that. If you weren't one of the in group at the start you're persona non gratis.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/25/black-pupils-excluded-hair-discrimination-equality-act

A 5 year old boy being sent home for a fade and excluded until his hair was long enough and another boy being told to cut his locs.

I left school over 10 years ago and it was this bad. I can't believe nothing has changed- it seems to be getting worse.

Yes, it happens a lot

www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/boy-13-sent-home-school-23689992

@FlatteredFool

This thread came up in active. Is there a way of the site keeping this topic off active so that it's less likely to be read by those "not welcome?" I like to read all kinds of threads on a variety of topics but this one is openly hostile to those who aren't black. How is that ok?

Really? I have not seen any hostility to posters who are not black who post in good faith. What will not be tolerated, quite rightly are those that seek to come here with their racism. It can be spotted very easily.

This is why balance is important

www.yourtango.com/2015280784/thirteen-year-old-sent-home-from-school-for-this-crazy-hairstyle

I am NOT saying there is no racism. I am saying that the hair issue is not as straightforward as is being portrayed on this thread.

Really? I have not seen any hostility to posters who are not black who post in good faith. What will not be tolerated, quite rightly are those that seek to come here with their racism. It can be spotted very easily.

You only need to read this thread a little more carefully...

@Benelovencd

I especially love the use of anti-racist language to cry about their wittle fweelings Star

Anyway this is a genuine concern of mine when selecting schools. Those kids at Pimlico shouldn't be fighting this same old fight in 2021.

So the boys can't cut their hair too short so it's manageable for them but they will also get into trouble if their afro gets too big? TWA are hard to maintain especially for boys who may not actually be interested in maintaining longer hair.

My DS is just 4, and has already experienced some racialised othering when a TA continuously called him by the name of the only other Black boy in his pre-school class. I wrote about it on here at the time. He is at a faith school and there are about 10 blonde Polish DC in his class who are all afforded the courtesy of being called by their own names.

I am feeling really apprehensive about my DS getting older and going through the school system and being treated as if there is something wrong with him, simply because of the hair that grows naturally out of his head.

This is what is being compared to natural Afro hair:

With the help of her mother, Yvonne, "the young girl chose to shave off the hair on one side. She then took it a step further, using brown and blonde dye, to create a playful leopard-print design."

Loooooooooooooooooooooool!

@Starseeking

This is what is being compared to natural Afro hair:

With the help of her mother, Yvonne, "the young girl chose to shave off the hair on one side. She then took it a step further, using brown and blonde dye, to create a playful leopard-print design."

Loooooooooooooooooooooool!

Yeah, but it's balance innit!!!

It will be a shock when some of these kids get into real life and cannot make mummy and daddy complain to their employer about rules.

@Starseeking

This is what is being compared to natural Afro hair:

With the help of her mother, Yvonne, "the young girl chose to shave off the hair on one side. She then took it a step further, using brown and blonde dye, to create a playful leopard-print design."

Loooooooooooooooooooooool!

No, it was in comparison to hairstyles like this. To show that extreme hairstyles in all forms cause exclusion regardless of the colour of the students' skin. (I am not saying this child was excluded, but I feel that I need to give an example to stave off the mocking.)