Tuesday 8 July 2008

Storm in a wok

In the Telegraph Rosa Prince contrives to cook up one of those political-correctness-gone-mad stories that right wing papers love. Apparently, guidance from the National Children's Bureau says that toddlers who dislike spicy food are racist.

I haven't read the offending publication "Young Children and Racial Justice", but it's a shame that Prince can't stand up her own story. The best she can say is:

It advises nursery teachers to be on the alert for childish abuse such as: "blackie", "Pakis", "those people" or "they smell".

The guide goes on to warn that children might also "react negatively to a culinary tradition other than their own by saying 'yuk'".

Staff are told: "No racist incident should be ignored. When there is a clear racist incident, it is necessary to be specific in condemning the action."

Sorry, you've lost me. At what point does this say that children not liking spicy food amounts to a racist incident?

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