Comments on: Government sponsored agency instructs nurseries to report children who dislike spicy food as racists http://gal.darkervision.com/2008/07/09/government-sponsored-agency-instructs-nurseries-to-report-children-who-dislike-spicy-food-as-racists/ (Your daily dose of sex, science, satire, arts, politics, religion & sports) Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:49:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Jantar http://gal.darkervision.com/2008/07/09/government-sponsored-agency-instructs-nurseries-to-report-children-who-dislike-spicy-food-as-racists/#comment-21043 Jantar Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:28:17 +0000 http://gal.darkervision.com/?p=2604#comment-21043 Thanks for the comment - and the clarification. So, here's the yuk quote as it appeared in the book: <em> 'Indications of racial prejudice may not always be perceived as such. Indeed it is important always to pursue such indications with a view to ascertaining the reasons for them. For example, a child may react negatively to a culinary tradition other than her own by saying ‘Yuk’. This may mean a lack of familiarity with any food not seen or eaten before or, more seriously, a reaction to food associated with people from a particular ethnic or cultural community. Care is always needed in following up such reactions to differentiate very clearly between a child’s natural apprehension and racial prejudice.'</em> This, to me, still sounds like ludicrous nonsense to me. By the way, the fact that the publication of the book wasn't paid for with government money doesn't change the fact that the bureau, which does receive goverenment money, endorses it and this kind of 'racism profiling', which I find idiotic in the extreme, J. Thanks for the comment - and the clarification. So, here’s the yuk quote as it appeared in the book:

‘Indications of racial prejudice may not always be perceived as such. Indeed it is important always to pursue such indications with a view to ascertaining the reasons for them. For example, a child may react negatively to a culinary tradition other than her own by saying ‘Yuk’. This may mean a lack of familiarity with any food not seen or eaten before or, more seriously, a reaction to food associated with people from a particular ethnic or cultural community. Care is always needed in following up such reactions to differentiate very clearly between a child’s natural apprehension and racial prejudice.’

This, to me, still sounds like ludicrous nonsense to me. By the way, the fact that the publication of the book wasn’t paid for with government money doesn’t change the fact that the bureau, which does receive goverenment money, endorses it and this kind of ‘racism profiling’, which I find idiotic in the extreme,
J.

]]> By: NCB http://gal.darkervision.com/2008/07/09/government-sponsored-agency-instructs-nurseries-to-report-children-who-dislike-spicy-food-as-racists/#comment-21041 NCB Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:13:41 +0000 http://gal.darkervision.com/?p=2604#comment-21041 Recent media coverage referring to the NCB publication, Young Children and Racial Justice: Taking action for racial equality in the early years, has misrepresented the content and purpose of this valuable tool designed to support early years professionals in their work. A spokesperson from NCB said: ‘It is an excellent resource which has been specially designed to help teachers and nursery leaders recognise what is, and just as importantly, what is NOT potentially racist behaviour and attitudes in youngsters in their care. References to use of the word ‘yuk’, ‘spicy foods’ and reporting young children to local authorities, in this 366-page book, have been misrepresented and misunderstood as a consequence of that.’ (Read the specific passage and response at www.ncb.org.uk) ‘This book is being funded by NCB from book sales alone – and not from government funding or from any grants, as has also been reported. The sales have been excellent so far which goes to show there is an acknowledged need for books like it. ’ Jane Lane, the author, who is not a member of NCB staff, but an advocate worker for racial equality in the early years sector, said: ‘Children are like sponges and the early years of their lives are critical for helping them understand and learn to respect the opinions, differences, similarities and needs of others.’ Recent media coverage referring to the NCB publication, Young Children and Racial Justice: Taking action for racial equality in the early years, has misrepresented the content and purpose of this valuable tool designed to support early years professionals in their work.

A spokesperson from NCB said: ‘It is an excellent resource which has been specially designed to help teachers and nursery leaders recognise what is, and just as importantly, what is NOT potentially racist behaviour and attitudes in youngsters in their care.

References to use of the word ‘yuk’, ‘spicy foods’ and reporting young children to local authorities, in this 366-page book, have been misrepresented and misunderstood as a consequence of that.’ (Read the specific passage and response at http://www.ncb.org.uk)

‘This book is being funded by NCB from book sales alone – and not from government funding or from any grants, as has also been reported. The sales have been excellent so far which goes to show there is an acknowledged need for books like it. ’

Jane Lane, the author, who is not a member of NCB staff, but an advocate worker for racial equality in the early years sector, said: ‘Children are like sponges and the early years of their lives are critical for helping them understand and learn to respect the opinions, differences, similarities and needs of others.’

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