Re: What are we doing? : Sun Feb 19, 2012 3:15 pm  

I agree with the legislation, what I don't agree with is the over-zealous interpretation that some people and public bodies take, which seems to have sparked the story referred to by the original poster. I refer to another reporting of the story: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... story.html Abel Rivera, chief officer of Humber All Nations Alliance, which works with 38 different ethnic groups in Hull to encourage race equality, backed the school. “The boy has singled another pupil out on the basis of his colour. That is discrimination and it’s wrong.” Based on the reporting of the story - a white child enquiring as to why another child has dark skin - the statement of Abel Rivera is, quite clearly, complete nonsense. The mother in question was right to refuse to sign any paperwork admitting 'racism', and could perhaps explore the possibility of her son bringing a claim for libel / slander against the school, and perhaps HANA too There seem to be a number of people who have a vested interest in promoting the idea that racism has happened, often in situations where no such behaviour has taken place. More worryingly, these people are often paid / subsidised by the public purse.

I agree with the legislation, what I don't agree with is the over-zealous interpretation that some people and public bodies take, which seems to have sparked the story referred to by the original poster. I refer to another reporting of the story: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... story.html Abel Rivera, chief officer of Humber All Nations Alliance, which works with 38 different ethnic groups in Hull to encourage race equality, backed the school. “The boy has singled another pupil out on the basis of his colour. That is discrimination and it’s wrong.” Based on the reporting of the story - a white child enquiring as to why another child has dark skin - the statement of Abel Rivera is, quite clearly, complete nonsense. The mother in question was right to refuse to sign any paperwork admitting 'racism', and could perhaps explore the possibility of her son bringing a claim for libel / slander against the school, and perhaps HANA too There seem to be a number of people who have a vested interest in promoting the idea that racism has happened, often in situations where no such behaviour has taken place. More worryingly, these people are often paid / subsidised by the public purse.

Re: What are we doing? : Sun Feb 19, 2012 4:34 pm  

if the boy asked the question innocently then I agree that he is the victim here. It's a nonsense.

I remember when one of my girls was little. She has a profound language disorder and never lies, just says things as she perceives them. Anyway, she was out with Mrs D and she noticed a "black" man sitting nearby (and in earshot) and just said "Mummy, why is that man brown? Is he dirty?" That was very awakward for Mrs D, but the child was just observing and trying to learn. Despite the extremity of her comment, viewed from an adult perspective there was no way in the world that she was being racist - just confused and interested.

Re: What are we doing? : Sun Feb 19, 2012 5:06 pm  

It does seem that we've reduced a charge of racism from being outright vindictive and discriminatory to include a children's innocent curiosity, racism is taught and innocent questions from primary school children should be answered honestly by a teacher with perhaps an introduction to the question of discrimination - its actually a very simple explanation , "there are lots of different coloured skins in the world, xxx has brown skin, you have white...etc, etc".

Instead its much easier to withdraw the child, fill out some forms and stigmatise the issue.

'kin barmy.

Re: What are we doing? : Sun Feb 19, 2012 6:00 pm  

McLaren_Field wrote:

It does seem that we've reduced a charge of racism from being outright vindictive and discriminatory to include a children's innocent curiosity, racism is taught and innocent questions from primary school children should be answered honestly by a teacher with perhaps an introduction to the question of discrimination - its actually a very simple explanation , "there are lots of different coloured skins in the world, xxx has brown skin, you have white...etc, etc".

Instead its much easier to withdraw the child, fill out some forms and stigmatise the issue.

'kin barmy.

Aye. If what that report says is what happened, then on that basis, aye indeed.

Re: What are we doing? : Sun Feb 19, 2012 6:15 pm  

Luckily, for the child in question, he is under the age of criminal responsibility.

If he was aged 10 or over I have no doubt this would have been referred to the police, and said child would probably now have some sort of record on the Police National Computer.