Being called brown in a lesson

[OneliSimpson]

Hello Folks,

Please help me .

My child is called brown in a lesson and he came home traumatised and we have
complained to the school (we are a fee paying school) and my child has been affected and now his academics are going down and he lost his friends due to the lack of confidence. As a family we are in a terrible situation and we can't see our only child is suffering like this due to colour of the skin.

Also he is coming home by saying mummy my so called this friend asked whether I survive in a secondary school? mum this one told me I am bad in his subject and that subject and they got in to him.

All these appends after the announcement of the heads resignation and one teacher even told him that you should not apply for any scholarships as you are not mentally steady. ( I really don't understand this as after covid and everything)

Please tell me what I need to do?

I need helppppp

I'm not sure I really understand most of what is said in your OP.

How old?

What was the context around him being called brown in class?

Why has it traumatised him? Have you taken him to any therapy over his trauma?

What did the school say/do about the incident?

What actually happened?

Your post isn't clear.
What actually happened?

It seems as though a few things have happened.

From your post, my understanding is, some of his friends told him he wasn't good at certain subjects, and this has caused a drop in confidence.

You've also mentioned scholarship, was it a teacher who has said he should not go for scholarship? Was it because said teacher thinks he wont be awarded scholarship? How is the scholarship awarded- I'm assuming exam, or maybe sports?

Finally, the point about being called brown, that isn't acceptable, I'm assuming another student called him brown. Was the school made aware of this?

It sounds like your son is having a bit of a tough time at school, with the loss of friendships and what sounds like bullying.

Definitely need more information, can't say for sure what would be the best thing right now as don't know what's happened/how/when and what school have done.

Your post is not clear enough to offer informed help .

Two things:

Explain the different parts of what happened with context and quote what was actually said.

There is a section on MN called Black Mumsnetters, and they can typically give a lot of support and advice specific to race and racism.

My Indian partner refers to himself as brown, as do all his family and friends. He calls me white, because I am. If I were black, then we'd refer to me as black.

Using colour as a descriptor isn't inherently a problem. If it's used as an insult that is different.

I agree. I am brown - my some just one 1/4 West Indian is referred to as one of the "brown kids" by Indians at school. So what?

Not mentally steady? What exact words were used. Mentally steady isn't really a phrase used.

Yep. Black, brown (usually meaning Asian), white.

acceptable descriptors in my part of London for those of different ethnicities.

was it used as an insult o/p? Why was he traumatised by someone describing his skin colour?

OP's DS is not you. He was offended by it.

Why would he be described as not mentally steady? What behaviour gave this impression?

Isn't your DC proud to be brown? You should encourage him to be proud of his heritage. People are all black, brown or white surely. Why is he traumatized because of this? Does your DC have MH issues or is he just low in confidence OP? Is he being picked on at school do you think?

In what way was he called brown and why is it traumatic? People talk about being brown, black, white. Was it used negatively?

If you and your son feel that the kids are interrogating your son or making offensive remarks then I suggest you make a complaint to the school in writing,explaining in detail what incidents occurred and when.

From what you have said in your comment OP, it seems like your sons' peers are trying to shatter his confidence by taunting him. He may be getting put down again and again, this will affect his education and abilities as well as his confidence which seems as if it has shattered.

I suggest you make a complaint as soon as you can as the school MUST deal with it, all blood is red and we are all from the human race, your child deserves to be treated with dignity by his peers.

Is he brown skinned? Did he think he was a different ethnicity? Was it used in a derogatory way?
Seems a little strange that this has traumatised him, but I hope he is alright.