The price of assuming the worst of black kids
Published: 8 July, 2010
• MY son, 13 years old, was subjected to a torrent of racial abuse from an elderly white “gentlemen” on the 29 bus last week – for not
initially noticing this man quickly enough and immediately leaping up to offer his seat.
My son’s lack of awareness was simply due to the fact he was tired, had headphones on and was reading.
When my son saw this person he stood to offer his seat but had to endure racist comments for the rest of his journey.
My son was further angered by the fact that other white passengers appeared to think that what was being said by this bigot was justified, some even patting him on the back as he got off the bus.
My son and his friends are fully aware that people assume the worst of them and treat them accordingly.
They suffer narrowed eyes and sneers whenever they are walking in a group or getting on or off transport.
They hear, almost daily, mutterings that they are “bad children” from a “bad school”.
I understand that to many people, it may be unfathomable that black children have feelings or sensitivities, but please acknowledge this.
If you treat our children with nothing but contempt and scorn during their formative years you are making it almost impossible for them to even imagine a lifetime of befriending, appeasing and working with you.
NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
Comments
The price of assuming the worst of black kids
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2010-07-13 12:08.I was saddened as well as appalled by the treatment handed out to your correspondent's son on a 29 bus, merely for showing exceptional courtesy to another.
While the English have always been made up of incomers who have come to terms with the weather and mixed with locals, in my lifetime a welcome improvement has been the much widened range of family backgrounds of Londoners.
It was the offender's father's generation who defended London against the attack of the racist axis of fascism. It is tempting to wonder if he was being pushed off the bus rather than having his back patted, but I fear that this may be wishful thinking.
Adrian Betham: 020 7387 0451
105 Euston Street, London NW1 2EW
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