you should look at engineering and manufacturing asnd see the diversity. In engineering my kind (handsome and funny) are seen as the minority
I would suggest that you look at the figures..... But it all depends on what you class as an engineer ;-)
http://www.raeng.org.uk/policy/diversity-in-engineering/what-is-diversity ''6% of engineering professionals come from black and minority ethnic (BME) groups'' ''4% of engineering apprentices are from BME backgrounds.'' My daughter in law is a civil engineer and she has never worked with any 'BME' colleagues. [There was one black lad in her engineering class at uni]
I'd simply say it's not a nice thing to say and completely ignore the descriptive part. I wouldn't have a issue if he said fat, ginger, etc so I'm not going to make a issue out of him saying black. That's my point, it's not the individual saying it that's racist (in that example), the persons reaction makes it seen racist. The child knows no better (or worse) whereas the adult does. IMO, the adult is indirectly being racist whereas the boy is innocent.
6% and 4% from a population group that adds up to nearly 8% of the total population is not that bad. Maybe these BME are just not interested in being Engineering professionals.....or I just work with the 6% and 4% that do
It's where the problems start - letting things go uncorrected. Generalisations about a racial group need to be challenged and corrected [age of child in this case taken into account]. It's not at all like generalising about physical features. I think you have taken responsibility for yourself and your actions by not being racist and chances are your lads will have you as a good role model in that respect and they in turn won't be racist. You are choosing not to address race any differently to being fat and I don't agree with that. Ignoring it doesn't make it equivalent to red hair or being fat. You can't just ignore generalisations about a whole race or simply equate it with being fat or ginger. In an ideal world we see a person and not a colour but we don't live in that ideal world so unless you challenge misconceptions, they will persist. If as you said you tell the child it isn't nice to say mean things, that's only addressed one issue. An adult asking a little boy who has made a racist statement - and you're right he doesn't know he has, he's just repeating what he's heard - isn't being more racist. It's questioning to understand, on both sides, that sorts out prejudices before they have a chance to take hold.
I think you're right, we won't agree on this subject. To choose to not see race any differently to physical features is a great way to be and a good way forward, if everybody did that then racism would go away but everybody doesn't do that and probably never will, so while holding that view is commendable and an example to us all, it doesn't help to eradicate the problem that exists and in many cases is very deeply entrenched. I don't agree at all with the PC brigade and those looking to make trouble where none exists, like Tesco being called sexist for labelling toys 'boys' and 'girls' but ignoring racism where it really exists is wrong.
i think perosnally thinking people will wnader around utterly blind to one aspect of a person which is color is just not realistic. if a really tall guy walks into a room they get oh look he's massive and conversely if a really short or even dwarf walks in they get the same reaction... to not have anything is just denying human nature. RACISM IS NOT HUMAN NATURE!!! Racism is a taught attitude thats driven by hatred. What we would love i feel is an embracing of differences and for everyone to value everyone else equally. being back, gay or whatever shouldn't matter but people with their flaws teach kids from a young age to fear/hate/suspect people not of their immediate ilk. we should all wake up and see that we are teaching kids right now to fear and hate Muslims for instance.
... or ignorance. Education is key, which is why I think talking to 5 year olds in a non-judgmental way and listening to their thoughts is good, ignoring specifics is wrong.
Agree. Any thoughts of someone being fundamentally different as a person because their skin has more pigment is pretty damned ignorant. But look, it ain't just race. Religion too. Sadly, too many get their education from hate stoking conflict promoting media and bigots.
