News / National
Coltart speaks on racism against blacks in private schools
04 Apr 2019 at 05:57hrs | Views
Human Rights lawyer Doug Coltart has condemned what he termed ‘institutional racism' which he said is being practised in some private schools.
Recently Peterhouse Boys School conducted an Extreme Reading challenge to celebrate the Peterhouse Book Day 2019 on the 23rd of March. The challenge produced the below picture which was widely condemned as carrying racial undertones.
Said Coltart, "Institutional racism in private schools is a reality that we must all fight. Even in schools which are now predominantly black, sometimes "norms" and "standards" based on white culture (such as what constitutes "neat hair") remain deeply entrenched. They need transformation.
"While we're on the topic of hair politics, (don't worry, I'm not going to stray into the minefield of weave politics!), but I do think we should promote more celebration of the beauty and elegance of black hair. Afros, dreadlocks, braids etc are awesome (including in schools)."
Coltart further said the wigs won by judges are reminiscent of the colonial era.
"I am not a fan of the judge's wigs. Aside from the huge expense at a time we can't afford it, I'm generally against anything that harks back to the colonial era and makes our courts less accessible and more intimidating and seemingly-foreign for ordinary people." He said.
Recently Peterhouse Boys School conducted an Extreme Reading challenge to celebrate the Peterhouse Book Day 2019 on the 23rd of March. The challenge produced the below picture which was widely condemned as carrying racial undertones.
Said Coltart, "Institutional racism in private schools is a reality that we must all fight. Even in schools which are now predominantly black, sometimes "norms" and "standards" based on white culture (such as what constitutes "neat hair") remain deeply entrenched. They need transformation.
"While we're on the topic of hair politics, (don't worry, I'm not going to stray into the minefield of weave politics!), but I do think we should promote more celebration of the beauty and elegance of black hair. Afros, dreadlocks, braids etc are awesome (including in schools)."
Coltart further said the wigs won by judges are reminiscent of the colonial era.
"I am not a fan of the judge's wigs. Aside from the huge expense at a time we can't afford it, I'm generally against anything that harks back to the colonial era and makes our courts less accessible and more intimidating and seemingly-foreign for ordinary people." He said.
Source - Byo24News
