Offers & Competitions4 mins ago
'are You Brown Because You're From Africa, Racist Or Not??
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Possibilitie
15:40 Thu 15th Jan 2015
jim360
/// I can, just about, sympathise with a teacher picking up on a kid asking "are you from Africa?" because there are 53 countries in Africa and so it's a bit of a broad question to ask. A child shouldn't be jumped on for asking it but a quiet word to the effect of trying not to jump to such conclusions seems sensible ///
The kid is seven what would you suggest a total geography lesson, outlining the 53 countries of Africa, but then the black kid could have come from the Caribbean, which would then necessitated a history lesson explaining the white man's involvement in slavery?
Are now we are on solid left-wing teaching.
/// I can, just about, sympathise with a teacher picking up on a kid asking "are you from Africa?" because there are 53 countries in Africa and so it's a bit of a broad question to ask. A child shouldn't be jumped on for asking it but a quiet word to the effect of trying not to jump to such conclusions seems sensible ///
The kid is seven what would you suggest a total geography lesson, outlining the 53 countries of Africa, but then the black kid could have come from the Caribbean, which would then necessitated a history lesson explaining the white man's involvement in slavery?
Are now we are on solid left-wing teaching.
“On the other hand "Are you from Africa?" is, perhaps, a bit awful.”
Why? Africans come from Africa. Those of nationalities outside that continent don’t. There’s nothing “awful” in the question (unless, of course, you consider that coming from Africa is something to keep quiet about).
“…how would you respond/ feel if asked whether or not you were from "Europe"?”
It would not bother me in the slightest. I would simply say “Yes, the country I originate from is indeed in Europe”.
Children are curious. They satisfy their curiosity by asking questions. Africa is a place that contains many black people and it is not unreasonable to ask a black child if he hails from Africa. The thought police are trying to instil in children the notion that there are no differences worth mentioning between races, genders (there was a mention of “gender bullying” in the article), people’s appearance or social class. There are. Children know that there are and they are curious about them. The State education system needs to concentrate its resources on educating children (which in some respects it is woefully inadequate) instead of finding fault in them where none exists.
Why? Africans come from Africa. Those of nationalities outside that continent don’t. There’s nothing “awful” in the question (unless, of course, you consider that coming from Africa is something to keep quiet about).
“…how would you respond/ feel if asked whether or not you were from "Europe"?”
It would not bother me in the slightest. I would simply say “Yes, the country I originate from is indeed in Europe”.
Children are curious. They satisfy their curiosity by asking questions. Africa is a place that contains many black people and it is not unreasonable to ask a black child if he hails from Africa. The thought police are trying to instil in children the notion that there are no differences worth mentioning between races, genders (there was a mention of “gender bullying” in the article), people’s appearance or social class. There are. Children know that there are and they are curious about them. The State education system needs to concentrate its resources on educating children (which in some respects it is woefully inadequate) instead of finding fault in them where none exists.
"Awful" wasn't really the word I meant. Something closer to "dodgy", perhaps? In general you should ask the open question over the presumptive one, though, and at least I'd expect an adult or older child to be sensible enough to prefer the open question "Where are you from then?"
I can't say I would be offended exactly if I were asked "Are you from Europe?", either -- but on the other hand it does betray a certain amount of ignorance about Europe and its internal structure. And such ignorance itself is worth trying to reduce.
All the same, I think we can agree that for children, jumping on them for asking such questions to the extent that seems to have happened in some cases is simply not acceptable or appropriate.
I can't say I would be offended exactly if I were asked "Are you from Europe?", either -- but on the other hand it does betray a certain amount of ignorance about Europe and its internal structure. And such ignorance itself is worth trying to reduce.
All the same, I think we can agree that for children, jumping on them for asking such questions to the extent that seems to have happened in some cases is simply not acceptable or appropriate.
@AOG
The teacher should not have taken it out on the child (will read the article in a mo, to see if it was a dressing down in front of the class or a quiet word, in private).
In the teachers shoes, however, I would want to have a word with the parents. The concept that black/brown = "from Africa" has been put into that child's head from somewhere. What are the possibilities, given that television has been thouroughly purged of Tom and Jerry cartoons and other things carrying that association? Parents? Grandparents?
As you can see, I subscribe to the notion that racism is taught. All ideas are viral in nature and bad ideas take generations of inoculation to wipe out.
The teacher should not have taken it out on the child (will read the article in a mo, to see if it was a dressing down in front of the class or a quiet word, in private).
In the teachers shoes, however, I would want to have a word with the parents. The concept that black/brown = "from Africa" has been put into that child's head from somewhere. What are the possibilities, given that television has been thouroughly purged of Tom and Jerry cartoons and other things carrying that association? Parents? Grandparents?
As you can see, I subscribe to the notion that racism is taught. All ideas are viral in nature and bad ideas take generations of inoculation to wipe out.
Racism like any other -ism is now out of control. Just the mere mention of the word 'black' now has people reaching for their pen and paper. On the telly recently I saw someone extolling the virtues of a 'Chinese' and as the topic was food the inference was clear. Another guest on the show quipped in saying 'slightly racist!' I've been brought up properly and I'll say what I think is acceptable (WAS accepetable years ago) and if anyone gets annoyed, that's their problem.
My daughter when in Kindergarten always talked about the "brown lady", in the same way she said the "curly lady" etc and I took it to mean a West Indian teacher. In the supermarket, she became excited and pointed out the "brown lady", a fair skinned woman who said hello to daughter. Later I asked why she called her the "brown lady" and apparently it was because she always wore a brown overall. Young children don't see things as we see them. The same child once grabbed the bare arm of an Asian man in the bank queue and said You're very brown. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me but he laughed and said Yes I am, and I never lie on a beach!
"In the teachers shoes, however, I would want to have a word with the parents. The concept that black/brown = "from Africa" has been put into that child's head from somewhere. "
and i would like to think that most parents if you tried that sort of garbage on with them would tell you exactly where to go and shove your little speech on brainwashing and PC
....so tell us where do to all intents and purposes the majority of black/brown people come from ?
and i would like to think that most parents if you tried that sort of garbage on with them would tell you exactly where to go and shove your little speech on brainwashing and PC
....so tell us where do to all intents and purposes the majority of black/brown people come from ?
@baz
"....so tell us where do to all intents and purposes the majority of black/brown people come from ? "
The ones I'm likely to *actualy meet* are, logically, going to be from somewhere nearby.
The 'quiz answer' level of accuracy extends to the entire planet, however.
How good was your geography knowledge at seven years old?
"....so tell us where do to all intents and purposes the majority of black/brown people come from ? "
The ones I'm likely to *actualy meet* are, logically, going to be from somewhere nearby.
The 'quiz answer' level of accuracy extends to the entire planet, however.
How good was your geography knowledge at seven years old?
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