Nursery World - A Unique Child: Racism

Racist attitudes damage the children who hold them as well as those on the receiving end. Jane Lane explains why we all need to understand this.

Mention of the words 'racial equality', 'racism' or 'racist' can make some of us feel uncomfortable, threatened, guilty, ignorant, or 'accused' of something of which we feel we are innocent. Others may feel that we experience racism much of the time, so don't want to discuss it with people who fail to understand that reality. Yet others may think that it has nothing to do with us because we live in a rural or largely white area.

Given such unease, and the advent of the Early Years Foundation Stage next month, is it time to reflect seriously on racism? Without being too 'heavy' about it, yes, it is. Racism exists and persists in the early years field in the same way as elsewhere, because racism, in Britain today, is nearly everywhere.

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