BB race row: Schools 'must help end racism'

January 22, 2007

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Shilpa Shetty

ALL teenagers should be taught core `British values' to combat the `ignorance and bigotry' seen on Celebrity Big Brother, Education Secretary Alan Johnson said.

Mr Johnson said the storm over the treatment of Indian film star Shilpa Shetty on the Channel 4 reality TV show underlined the need for schools to foster good community relations.

A government report, commissioned by Mr Johnson and Gordon Brown, will recommend compulsory citizenship lessons should be reformed to examine the idea of `Britishness'.

Mr Johnson said: "The debate over Big Brother has highlighted the need to make sure our schools focus on the core British values of justice and tolerance.

"We want the world to be talking about the respect and understanding we give all cultures, not the ignorance and bigotry shown on our TV screens."

Complaints

His remarks came after thousands of viewers complained about alleged racist bullying by Celebrity Big Brother contestants.

Last year, the government commissioned former head of a south London school, Sir Keith Ajegbo, to review the teaching of citizenship to teenagers.

In his report, to be published on Thursday, he will say that the citizenship curriculum does not place enough emphasis on British identity.

He will say that lessons for 11 to 14 year-olds should be refocused to look at what constitutes `Britishness' and what brings British people together as a nation.

DO you think our children need lessons in 'British values'? Have your say.

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David, North Manchester (22/01/2007 at 11:10)

I think children need to work it out for themselves and decide if they are being brainwashed into what this goverment wants them to think.

Ace Riley, manchester (22/01/2007 at 13:02)

Why does it always come down to the schools to stop racism? why dosnt it come down to the mosques and the imans and other communities in britain to try and fit into the christian /british way of life maybe then we wouldnt have so much friction? today i read that a muslim police woman wopuldnt shake her bosses hand ? And people wonder why we have racism??

Clare, Stockport (23/01/2007 at 18:42)

It's only brainwashing if it's done the way modern school's seem to want to now, by sitting everyone down in 'citizenship classes', and saying 'we think you should be sensible, sensitive and yet patriotic (but not too much...) people, and if you memorise all that we might give you a GCSE in it.'

I could then point out the quintessentially British ideals about the battle of Waterloo being won on the playing fields of Eton etc. I go to a private school where this kind of attitude is still prevalent, and yet we are hardly a group of BMP-supporters in the making. The difference is in focusing on determination and commitment to a goal, rather than 'if you don't succeed, try something easier', and competition instead of 'we're all equal so nobody can be better at something than anyone else'. It's in living British values, not talking about them, that we learn them. And it's there that the State school system has lost it's way.

Also, before somebody condemns me for speaking out of class snobbery, I have enough prior experience, plus friends and family in state secondary to know something about it.

David C, City Centre (24/01/2007 at 09:34)

Anybody else concerned at the opinion which has developed that Racist Bullying is far more serious than plain old bullying. I have read reports that if Jades behaviour is found to be racist bullying then the police should be involved etc. Im sorry, but ALL forms of bullying must be treated equally. One of the main reasons for racist opinions in society today is because racially motivated crimes appear to be given priority over equal crimes which occur to non minority groups. This must change, bullying and even murder much be treated and reported equally if we are to make relationships between communities equal.

Laugh Out Loud, Budapest (24/01/2007 at 11:45)

Clare, I echo your comments. I went to Malvern (Public School) and you are correct in what you say. Snobbery, however, does exist in the school system. For example, a Private School is not a Public School. Regardless of money, Public Schools will not accept just anyone unlike a majority of private establishments. Malvern has a great tradition of patriotism and yet teaches tolerance and understanding of other cultures. It produces well balanced young gentlemen, who have the respect and the brains not to be racists. A little bit like the back ground Shilpa comes from. Ignorance, lack of education and understanding breed racism. Unfortunately ignorance, lack of education and understanding covers about 70% of the state school system!

jen, manchester (24/01/2007 at 23:20)

My son attends private school and has experienced racism from students and indirectly /subtly ?? from staff. currently trying to complain via education authority/ commission for racial equality.I am a teacher and from an immigrant ethnic group and listen everyday to staff and students lack of awareness/understandingof ethnic groups. I believe BB reflects what is prevalent within society.

cb, Manc (27/01/2007 at 10:46)

Sorry, but I'm white British and went to a private school and experienced racism against me first hand from other ethnic groups. I don't care what colour or creed anyone is, but I do think that it's sad that it's not ok to be 'English' anymore.

Chris Clarke, Cranliegh (28/01/2007 at 22:03)

The recent hoo-haa over Big Brother is a result of the commercial and personal ambitions of the show presenters and all of the participants. Quite simply they want to shock and to make a name for themselves for financial gain. In this instance some participants were aggressive, rude, common and bullying to another participant. That's what they're there for. Labelling it racism is welcomed by the show and participants alike as it further's their commercial aims and self-centred ambitions. Anyone who publicly comments like Allan Johnson, Blair, Harmon etc are doing so for effect.
Scrap the show and there will be fewer examples of bullying, aggressiveness and low life examples for the youth of today to follow.

Colin W, Stockholm (29/01/2007 at 08:01)

Hey racism is a two way street, many muslims, blacks and Indians are just as racist against whites. What about the 'no white' areas of Rochdale, Oldham and parts of Manchester. MAKE immigrants adopt British values and maybe the white majority will start to accept these people .

anon, manchester (30/01/2007 at 15:02)

Re: ace riley's comment.
Yes let's all try to fit in to the British way of life....we'll start by burping, farting and swearing...!

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