Schhol Governor Update

[dave1948]

Recently I advised on this board an issue relating school governors and a comment which was perceived as racist.

I promised an update. Today I attended a meeting with the Headteacher and Chair of Governors. Sadly their intransigent approach meant that I was virtually forced to resign or in their words be subject to an enquiry by the Local Authority.

One word which I admit should not have been used (but certainly not intended as being racist) brings an end to four years of service and many hours spent working with children.

Don't let anyone tell you that volunteering is valued today.

[DaisyNonna]

Closet racist? How is one able to be a racist in the loo? Would be interesting to find out.

[dave1948]

Milvus Of course the phrase would have been more offensive if used in the circumstances you suggest but it wasn't It was used in the sense that Mamyalynne says about problems with H & S in institutions and the culture that has grown of compensation being pursued by people and lawyers.

Anyway end of story I remain saddened by the whole affair.

[pixie373]

Do you think it's offensive now, Dave? Or will you continue to use it?

[dave1948]

Pixie
I can't say that I won't use expressions like that as words sometimes come out other than intended.

I am not racist and never will be. I do try to think about what I say and not to cause offence. Have you never said anything you later wished you hadn't ?

[pixie373]

Oh yes! I was just interested as to whether the whole incident had made you think differently. I do think it sounds like a racist remark- but agree it sounds unthinking, rather than an "attitude". I think you were wrong, but they dealt with it really badly.

[dave1948]

Maybe Pixie you are not as old as me (65) when I was a child it was commonplace but had no racial meaning. So though we grow older we may retain deep down phrases and expressions we've grown up with. Call someone gay now and you'll likely get a punch on your nose not so 40 years ago !

[Maydup]

"Gay" is OK dave; although best not to proceed it with "so".

[Maydup]

^^^^ preceed

[pixie373]

...precede even ;-)

i understand that, Dave, yes.

[THECORBYLOON]

DAVE, you say that as a child, the expression had no racial meaning so what did you think the word meant or referred to?

[Mamyalynne]

Dave stated earlier that he was using the term more in line with the dictionary definition, rather than it's old origins...


Merriam Webster Dictionary

n****r in the woodpile

Full Definition of N****R IN THE WOODPILE

dated now offensive
: something (as a concealed motive or obscure factor) contrary to appearances in a situation

[Mamyalynne]

I still maintain that if a group of adults could not have sorted it out quickly and quietly there and then - then as Divebuddy suggest 'Office Politics' were at work here.

[murraymints]

Sticks and stones...I cannot understand why people get so precious over words...it's actions that count surely ?

[THECORBYLOON]

I was not asking about the expression, I was asking what he thought the n-word meant or referred to.

[THECORBYLOON]

MURRAYMINTS if someone telt you every day that you were stupid (for example) it is only a word but no doubt it would have an effect on you.

[anneasquith]

ive never heard this phrase, but, why would anyone use the N word at all ?

[Mamyalynne]

I cannot credit that some still cannot see it as an old outdated and yes now ill considered phrase (based on the recollection of its dictionary definition) - he did not suddenly shout out "N****R" !


If Dave had done so, I would have been amongst the first to disapprove.

[Old_Geezer]

Based on what you have said, you have my sympathy. I have learnt that one's conscious mind merely decides the gist of what one wishes to convey, it is the subconscious 'subroutines' that grab known words/phrases to form the actual speech (otherwise we'd all stumble searching for each word in turn). If your life means a phrase is well known to mean something specific that differs from a literal translation, one that in the meanwhile society has chosen to take offence to, then this sort of unintended offence is something that can make any of us its victim.

Your tale seems plausible to me. And the real issue appears to be either folk judging not understanding, or doing so yet deciding they dare not appear to be giving tacit approval for racism from folk knowing they could get away with it by claiming it was accidental and not meant. (Or maybe simply not believing you. )

[naomi24]

//Sticks and stones...I cannot understand why people get so precious over words...//

Neither can I, Minty. I'm very sorry to hear this, Dave. The world's going mad.

[patrickstar]

Another sign of the times is that Guy Gibson VC, of Dambuster fame, had a dog called the 'N' word. The new film being made about this event in history is renaming his dog 'Digger'! Then again not the first time Hollywood has changed history and facts.