Why should we promote race equality?

It’s the law, but, as is often the case, the rationale for changing the law in the first place is a much stronger hand than simply following the law. 

The law changed as a result of the Inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence. Although the Inquiry focused on police practice, the report’s implications were clear across the public sector and society as a whole. Education was the only other sector to be the focus of recommendations. The report’s recommendations were for the most part accepted by the Scottish Executive at that time.

Our children are growing up in a diverse and rapidly changing society. Wherever they live, there is a need to foster understanding, awareness, tolerance and acceptance. There is equally a need to ensure that all our children are capable and empowered to recognise and challenge racist attitudes and behaviour wherever they occur and to know who can help and where to get that help if needed.

If there is a need to convince others in your school, it might be worth looking over the ‘Excusopus’ devised by Chris Gaine and highlighted in his book, 'We’re All White, Thanks: The Persisting Myth about White Schools'. He discusses some of the excuses made to keep things as they are: 

• We don’t have many.

• We’re colour blind/noticing race is racist/we treat them all the same/children are just children to me.

• I think they like to fit in.

• Our ‘coloured’ children are well integrated.

• I used to work in London so …

• They’re just as bad/racism works both ways.

• We must market the school.

• It’s the parents.

• No resources.

• This is not in the curriculum/I’m just a subject teacher.

If any of these sound familiar, read on ...