General Chat

my daughter was being tormented by a friend she has nown for four years.when she told him to stop he started pulling faces, to which she said you look like a monkey it was all fun and jokes at first, untill later on when he asked her is it because i'm black(he is of mixed race) which is not the first time he's asked her this question when an inoccent comment has been made.
the teacher over heard and intervened and asked my daughter if she had made a racist comment to which she said no.

when the teacher heared monkey had been used she took her to one side and explained it could been interpreted as racist.
even though the teachers understood there was no intent to cause distress she was still punished, and her school record includes this incident as racism. i always believe racism had to include intent to cause harm which my daughter clearly didn't, and the school system has branded my daughter a racist and punished her acordingly.

is this a case of poor school procedure or pc bragade gone mad.

erm eek! treading on dangerous ground here like you say its friends taunting but can be seen as serious ~ have they suspended your daughter yet or is she isolated?

Edit: this is where we need to re-educate these kids

Kellie.............we can only give our opinions, you really have to take this up with your daughter's school to get an answer.

Not one of us is in the position to help resolve the issue.

First instinct, I would not class that as racism in an isolated incident (thinking that when I was a kid and I pulled faces my mum would say I looked like a cheeky monkey) ...I think a private chat would suffice if really thought necessary...and as the teacher, perhaps then have a lesson on what might or might not be considered 'rascism' and why...more productive I would think?

Kellie, from what you've said, I wouldn't class it as racist in intent and more an unfortunate choice of word. Sounds like it could have been sorted by a chat between you and your daughter and a teacher but I know nothing about schools now.

Kitty is right all of us on this thread ar linked to a school in different ways and each school is different as is each situ you must go bk to your daughters school ask to meet the HT and the govenors and get her to write it down and then present it properly before them x

OMD's that is ridiculous

I included the definition of a racist incident in my earlier post. All schools are advised yo use the definition recommended in the Macpherson Report.

Therefore, in this case, the second the boy asked "is it because I'm black" then the incident must be treated in accordance with the school's policy on racist incidents.

I would suggest as a first stage you request a copy of the policy. It may even be available on the school's website.

If the conversation genuinely went along the lines of *pulling faces* " You look like a monkey"; "Are you saying that because I'm black"; "No" then the treatment of your daughter seems quite harsh.

After all, children of all nationalities have been referred to as cheeky monkeys for years! A meeting with the Headteacher I think ....

Had your daughter reported her friend for tormenting her?

Was he dealt with?

Was he offended?

she was given a day of isolation and this incident was put on her school record. as i agree all incidents of racism should be investigated .innocent children should not be branded racists. what people forget is this has been quite a traumatic experience for my daughter

How old is your daughter Kellie?

Shimmers right he must also be spoken too!!

Kids ar Kids but there ar those who may use this type of thing as a tool to get someone in trouble sadly we can see this happen too but cos they ar kids they don't always see beyond that, the bigger picture or the consequences x

15

Kellie this should NOT have been put on her record unless an investigation has taken place and your daughter prooved to be in the wrong go have a chat with the HT x

I would have thought a 15 year old would know better than to use the word monkey to a kid of mixed race but then the taunting has to be taken into account - we're only giving our opinions, Kellie based on what you've put on here but sounds like Tony is giving sound advice and knows what he is talking about.

thankyou for the replys (thanks tony)
the boy was asked if the comment to be racist his reply was he didn't know. days after the incident the boy in question came upto my daughter and asked her i bet you wished you were black. the boy in question is a bit of a handful to the teachers.

are next cause of action will be to make an appointment to see the headmistress, to express our concerns on how this matter has been dealt with.

Kelly, Tony has given sound advice.

Speaking now as a mother who's child has now left Education, having worked in a school involved in this area, I cannot understand nor comprehend how a teacher dealt with this matter nor how it was placed on her school record.

When a child is excluded, even for a day, usually the parent/carer is asked to accompany them to reception the next day for a formal meeting with both the headteacher, teacher involved, perhaps others.

There is an organization, can't remember its name, tis part of the local Council or associated with it wherein you can contact them and they will accompany you to any school meetings, advise you, even be your voice if necessary.

The comment "even though the teachers understood there was no intent to cause distress she was still punished" indicates that some form of investigation ensued.

However, the only thing you will ever get on here is opinions - and an opinion is worse than perception.

Get a copy of the policy, and check that the school have followed it. Once you have ascertained that, then request an appointment with the Headteacher to discuss it further.

to uggers
what skin colour would be ok with you to call somebody a monkey. when acting like a monkey. the term monkey was used for his actions not his skin colour

I worked that out too Sylvia:(