Page 13 - Anti-Racism Pocketbook for Schools and Academies

What does inappropriate language look like and how do
words/language impact.

Inappropriate language can take form in various ways,

whether it be through foul language or banter. While some

might think this type of language is acceptable or funny,

others might find these types of talk to be very uncomfortable.

However, many people fear reporting this type of behaviour

and suffer in silence due to the fact that they could be

labelled as a prude and face victimisation.

As she describes her time as a teacher in Bedfordshire, Anne

recalls various situations in which language was often a

trigger for her. Meaning that, her white colleagues would use
offence terms and inappropriate language when discussing

black students. She notes that some of her white colleagues

would make comments that:

• referred to black male students as ‘gorillas’ and further

dehumanise black children by referring them to animals

• joked that “all of those black girls look the same. I can

never tell the difference.”

• described larger groups of black students as “gangs”.

Alongside these blatantly inappropriate comments, Anne recalls
a situation in which another staff member jokingly said, “What

do you call this? Is this your African timing?” when she arrived a

few minutes late to an after-school club. She highlighted in her

three-page account how these types of comments were
extremely harmful to her feelings as a black woman.

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