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To my knowledge, I have never said to children I teach they’re either ‘privileged’ or ‘oppressed’ because of their race. I’ve definitely never said they should feel ‘inherited racial guilt’. I can’t imagine (m)any teachers have.
But we have looked at reports that suggest or conclude the existence of systemic or institutional racism. In History we’ve looked at the Macpherson report, in A Level Politics we’ve looked at the Racial Disparities Report that the government published in 2017.
In form time, we have discussed the Met’s targeting of young black men through stop and search over lockdown, the Black Lives Matter protests, the impact of COVID.
I’m guessing this means I haven’t broken the law. But I can understand if teachers will now shy away from any conversations or content about race. I can’t imagine any teacher wants to break the law.
Students want to talk about these issues. They often have quite ‘radical’ views. I think we’d all agree that, in life, talking is better than keeping silent or avoiding difficult conversations. I worry that recent comments will discourage conversations that are much needed.
Racism still exists. It deeply influenced history. I think as a society we still have some way to go to acknowledge how deeply/how much the past’s legacy shapes the present. I’m sure in trying to have these conversations, sometimes for the first time, mistakes will be made.
But I always tell my students it’s better to try and make a mistake, than not to try. I worry the government’s approach will do much more harm than good. /End
