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

@Starseeking this is quite upsetting. My little ones are approaching school age. I'm sorry your little boy is going through that. I worry like you. I don't even know what to say. It's 2021, this still can't be happening. I think only in Year 2 did any teacher learn my name (because I was top of my class and it would have been hard not to) and my class only had 11-12 pupils. Then secondary school was worse because I chose to use my African name (which is literally phonetically spelt and if you go syllable by syllable easy to say) but it just became an excuse not to learn my name.

I just can't have this repeat itself to DC.

You can only laugh @C130. These people must genuinely believe it's comparable, and nothing to do with race. It's totally bizarre.

*any of these children - I tried to upload one photo and it posted several.

Wouldn’t want any adverse comments if I didn’t clarify.

Julie was pretty persistent last time, but we kept giving her oxygen.

I agree with you Starseeking.

It's all resolved now @Benelovencd. I'll see if I can find my thread about that when I've put DC to bed, and bump it for you here.

What I realised from going through that experience is that I HAVE TO advocate for my DC at the earliest given opportunity. I can't worry about being THAT mum, if it means my DC are prevented from being othered, and halt any and every attempt to make them feel less than. It's not happening on my watch.

Because dyed cheetah print is the same as hair literally growing out of your head into a natural afro.

I think people must think we grow our hair that way just to annoy them and break their "quite frankly racist dress codes".

Oh and when this happened with my employer, I took it a tribunal and won.Somehow as PP said the world of work has caught up but schools have gone backwards.

@LookingThroughTheTrees

Hair styling rules in schools is an issue that disproportionately affects black people, though. And one which may well be in part down to ignorance of people in power - school leaders, in this case. So listening to people who are part of the group being disproportionately affected is part of the solution.

Downplaying the discriminatory impact of rules that black people are saying are discriminatory is a microaggression. Similar to men saying "oh no honey, it's a compliment when I wolf-whistle at you."

Listen to people.

@Benelovencd

Because dyed cheetah print is the same as hair literally growing out of your head into a natural afro.

I think people must think we grow our hair that way just to annoy them and break their "quite frankly racist dress codes".

Oh and when this happened with my employer, I took it a tribunal and won.Somehow as PP said the world of work has caught up but schools have gone backwards.

Nope. Read again.

Then secondary school was worse because I chose to use my African name (which is literally phonetically spelt and if you go syllable by syllable easy to say) but it just became an excuse not to learn my name.

I know Igbo names are all phonetically spelt. This video is so true:

[quote Solidaritea]@LookingThroughTheTrees

Hair styling rules in schools is an issue that disproportionately affects black people, though. And one which may well be in part down to ignorance of people in power - school leaders, in this case. So listening to people who are part of the group being disproportionately affected is part of the solution.

Downplaying the discriminatory impact of rules that black people are saying are discriminatory is a microaggression. Similar to men saying "oh no honey, it's a compliment when I wolf-whistle at you."

Listen to people.[/quote]
Disproportionately yes, solely no.

I started posting properly after the 'it's ok to insult ginger haired people du to the colour of their hair' and stayed due to double standards from some posters. What I realise now is that some people don’t want to see reality. They want to live in their bubble.

Yes you are right @Starseeking. I am absolutely that mum. I don't care about the angry Black woman trope. I have every right to be angry if my DC are being othered. DC's mental health is very important to me. I want my DC to be comfortable and love their deeply melanated skin and kinky coily hair. You will not put that harm and plant seeds of insecurity in their heads while I am around. Not a chance.

@Hmmmm that's why today we just carrying on our with our merry selves and ignoring the noise

I love Uzo and her gorgeous gap and beautiful 4c hair. She is absolutely right! Despite my experience DC also have African names, I couldn't have it any other way. Be proud of those signifiers

I came across an event that some posters on this thread may be interested in attending, Kehinde Andrews is one of the speakers:

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/babylons-schooling-exclusion-of-black-students-in-the-1980s-and-now-tickets-146608490943

@Benelovencd

Yes you are right *@Starseeking*. I am absolutely that mum. I don't care about the angry Black woman trope. I have every right to be angry if my DC are being othered. DC's mental health is very important to me. I want my DC to be comfortable and love their deeply melanated skin and kinky coily hair. You will not put that harm and plant seeds of insecurity in their heads while I am around. Not a chance.

@Hmmmm that's why today we just carrying on our with our merry selves and ignoring the noise

I do calm angry very very well. It's difficult to argue with. Much easier for them to paint you as the problem if you go in shouting, despite having every reason to. It's a philosophy that's stood me in good stead over the years, whether in work life or personal life. I shouldn't have to, but it is what it is.

Yes @Starseeking, I know what you are saying. I always have to take a step back, gather my facts and put on my stern voice. I have seen people dismissed for yelling even when they are absolutely right and the facts are in their favour.

I have also found references to the law and how specifically people's actions are in contradiction with it, as well as evidence of such work well in my favour. This is why my preferred method of communication is written and I record conversations if necessary. CYA always

@Starseeking sorry your little one had a tough time. Names are such a personal thing.

As an aside what on earth was zebra girls mum thinking? She cannot have thought that was ok for school.

It is no way comparable to natural hair.

@Starseeking I think that “calm angry” is actually more productive. Whether dealing with something minor or major both face to face or on the phone.

I use it from the annoying sky tv customer services to the woman who called me a stroppy pxxx behind my back in Asda when I reminded her of 2m rule. Granted sometimes it’s harder to maintain but I find icey cold and firm gets me further than shouty.

To go back to the pronouncing names thing, many years ago when I was a checkout girl I was chatting to a customer as I scanned his things. I noticed his name badge said 'Mussy', so I said " that's an unusual name, I've never heard it before". He said "my name's Mustafa but my colleagues can't pronounce it so they call me 'Mussy'". Without missing a beat I said "if they can pronounce 'Christopher', why can't they pronounce 'Mustafa'?" He just stared at me.

If people can pronounce Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones then they can pronounce Iheanacho or Chibuike or Chiamaka. You literally sound them out

Weirdly I use my English name at home as that is just the name that stuck for my parents even though it is my middle name.

I have always preferred my first name which is African in school or work, but every single time I from nursery onwards some CF has decided and taken it upon themselves to use my English name once discovered (seen an enrollment form or ID) "as it's easier" without my consent.

No, use my first name please. Now i can't escape it as I use my first name and someone from another sphere of my life will bump into someone and say "Oh you mean, Englishname", and without a doubt everyone at work will use my English name. I hate it!
My English name feels very personal and limited to family only. I go by my African name to friends. Just can't escape CFs from school and uni bumping into work colleagues and then the stupid name spreads like wild fire. And then previous colleagues to new colleagues since I work in a niche field.

I have actually never invited anyone to use my English name. It is literally my family. Even DH uses my African name. So bloody rude

I hear you @Benelovencd
When I was early twenties colleagues at a work placement started calling me a made up version of my name and I went along with it, not thinking anything of it. I used to laugh and say to new people 'my name is X but people call me Y because it's easier' I cringe now, thinking that I corrupted the beautiful name my mum gave me because white people couldn't be arsed learning it. It's not a difficult name, you've just never heard it before. Practice.

I remember at school when there was a supply teacher or something, holding my breath while he was doing the register, waiting for him to make some dumb comment about my name. The embarrassment is all part of living in this systemically racist country. I bet Aoife isn't made to feel shame about her name

I've been at my current workplace a long time and started off known as this made up name. Since I woke up to this issue I have started using my proper name but the bloody nickname has stuck!

I hear you Hmmmm just keep stating your preference. I keep restating my first name. I don't care if this mutual person we know from 15 years ago mentioned my middle name, my name is X and I want to be known by that, like I introduced myself to you. If I wanted to be known by Y, I would have introduced myself as Y. I have never invited anyone to use that name, they have all taken it upon themselves to use it, because someone else told them, and someone else told them going all the way back to my pre-school teacher who started it by refusing to use my first name as it was too hard and long.

The only time I was successful was when I lived abroad for a bit, but wouldn't you know someone else popped up and started using middle name, but people were polite enough to ask first and stuck to my first name when I told them it was my preferred name.

Back in the mists of time when I was at secondary school, I was suspended for having an Afro because it "promoted Black Power"

Luckily for me my parents weren't standing for that so it was soon resolved.

Decades later, there are still people being stupid about our natural hair. As an adult I have a 4c afro. My offspring wear their hair natural.

It was never an issue when they were at school thankfully but of course, other racist microaggressions did happen and I was definitely THAT mum. Calm-angry, as I think Benelovencd said.

I don't waste my energy shouting but I articulate and do broken record technique well.

I'm so glad the Pimlico students won their fight against that obnoxious headmaster.

A reminder that racists will not and do not always get their own way. Their voices are becoming ever smaller, hence their fussing to be seen and heard by us.

I couldn't give a shit what your average racist thinks. & the ones who deal with policies etc whether in schools, workplaces or government, I simply want them not to abuse their power and think they can be racist without a comeback.

It's great seeing them taken to task so they're reminded the world doesn't revolve around them and their prejudiced divisive tactics.

I hear the press have a recording of Daniel Smith's (Pimlico headmaster) apology speech, and there are calls of 'Just leave!' in the background.

He needs to go, and not teach in any school ever again. There was a vote of no confidence so I don't see why he even wants to stay. He needs to stand by the stance he made.

He can go off and spend his time with other racists furiously scanning the internet for posts about racism so he can bash away on keyboard: wokes! cancel culture! listen to me me me Whitesplaining! If he's not doing that already in his spare time.

@DeeCeeCherry

Back in the mists of time when I was at secondary school, I was suspended for having an Afro because it "promoted Black Power"

Luckily for me my parents weren't standing for that so it was soon resolved.

Decades later, there are still people being stupid about our natural hair. As an adult I have a 4c afro. My offspring wear their hair natural.

It was never an issue when they were at school thankfully but of course, other racist microaggressions did happen and I was definitely THAT mum. Calm-angry, as I think Benelovencd said.

I don't waste my energy shouting but I articulate and do broken record technique well.

I'm so glad the Pimlico students won their fight against that obnoxious headmaster.

A reminder that racists will not and do not always get their own way. Their voices are becoming ever smaller, hence their fussing to be seen and heard by us.

I couldn't give a shit what your average racist thinks. & the ones who deal with policies etc whether in schools, workplaces or government, I simply want them not to abuse their power and think they can be racist without a comeback.

It's great seeing them taken to task so they're reminded the world doesn't revolve around them and their prejudiced divisive tactics.

I hear the press have a recording of Daniel Smith's (Pimlico headmaster) apology speech, and there are calls of 'Just leave!' in the background.

He needs to go, and not teach in any school ever again. There was a vote of no confidence so I don't see why he even wants to stay. He needs to stand by the stance he made.

He can go off and spend his time with other racists furiously scanning the internet for posts about racism so he can bash away on keyboard: wokes! cancel culture! listen to me me me Whitesplaining! If he's not doing that already in his spare time.

Did they really say your hair 'promoted black power'?!😳 Thank god your parents didn't stand for that nonsense. A lot of people would have been intimidated/not wanting to make a fuss. When I took the school on for the hair cut thing a lot of parents didn't want to get involved. Even though they were having to get a letter from their doctor excusing their son's afro hair 🙄🤔

I don't give a shit what the average racist thinks either, which is why I don't click on any of their links or engage further in conversation when they squat on this board and reveal to me that they are racist. They're invisible to me from then on.