Forum Topic

Ann Keen hails academic star

From Leader Page:"Ann Keen hails academic star as "an inspiration to our community""Local GCSE student Yoni Denis has been recognised at the Black Child Academic Achievement Awards"  Well done to Yoni Denis for achieving an award but isn't it racist, if not patronising, to have a "Black Child Academic Achievement Award" ? Is there an Asian Child or White Child achievement Award too?

Steve Taylor ● 6061d12 Comments

It is interesting to note that the pupil from Isleworth and Syon School praised by Ann Keen did not actually win an Award but was shortlisted for an Award. Whereas I have no doubt that the shortlisting is well-deserved and congratulations are due to the young man concerned, Ann Keen has undoubtably used this shortlisting of a pupil in her constituency in her normally opportunistic fashion to issue a press release which portrays her, Ann Keen, in a positive way. I have looked at the website for "London Schools and the Black Child Annual Academic Achievement Awards" which apparently is run by Diane Abbott, the Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington. http://www.blackeducation.info/default.aspxThe website does not define what is meant by a Black Child. Judging by the photos of the award winners in recent years, most of them appear to be of African, African-Cariibean or mixed race background. They are indeed high achievers and no doubt worthy recipients of the awards.According to the website:" The London Schools and the Black Child Academic Achievement Awards saw six of the best Black students handed out laptop computer by celebrity guests Mayor Boris Johnson, Education Minister Iain Wright, “Pirates of the Caribbean” actress Naomie Harris, Sky News presenter Gillian Joseph, and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu. "Ann Keen MP is not mentioned on the website.Once again she has jumped on a bandwagon not of her own making.

David Giles ● 6057d

"Perhaps you could ask them directly rather than asking on this forum."Er - because its a discussion forum and the article was posted by the forum editor on this forum. If everybody 'googled' for information rather than open threads for discussion / debate, what exactly is the purpose of this forum?

Steve Taylor ● 6061d

Steve, why don't you contact The London Schools and the Black Child Annual Academic Achievement Awards.I don't know, I googled it (not hard, to get some background to put it into context) Perhaps you could ask them directly rather than asking on this forum.

Mary OConnor ● 6061d

Thanks for the background Mary.  Would this mean that a black student born in the UK would not be eligible for the award?

Steve Taylor ● 6061d

A bit of background. "The London Schools and the Black Child initiative aims to raise the achievement levels of Black students. The Academic Achievement Awards recognise the young Black students who are contradicting negative stereotypes by achieving very high academic grades. The students were all educated in London state schools. Many of the students have overcome barriers such as racism, poverty and starting life in a new country"

Mary OConnor ● 6061d

Nope.

Ian Silver ● 6061d

You're not a happy bunny tonight, bad day?

Stephanie Kitsune ● 6061d

Not you Stephanie.Taylor.

Ian Silver ● 6061d

Twit

Ian Silver ● 6061d

Hmm, I can see what you're saying and I'm sure that is the intended POINT of it but I just think it succeeds in segregating people further, and infact detracts from the young man's achievement because it restricts it to only being comparable to other black students and not all of his peers. Maybe I'm getting the wrong end of the stick, I am quite tired and a little grouchy tonight.

Stephanie Kitsune ● 6061d

Stephanie,I should think the point of the award is to highlight academic achievement among a group of people who have often been marginalised by wider society.When black people break through all the layers of discrimination that bear down on them, that represents a special achievement which merits recognition.(I'm going to don my tin hat now, because I know I'm going to be lambasted by certain forum regulars for daring to express this opinion!).

Robin Taylor ● 6061d

Actually I was thinking the same thing, why should black children be lumped into some kind of sub-category to every other child? Not to belittle this young man's achievements but I'm sure they would've been equally as significant if it were the 'child academic achievement awards'.Patronising and condescending in my opinion, it's implies that the capacity for academic intelligence is something that varies from race to race. It's not the same as having a 'British literature month' or 'Black music awards' wherein there is a diverse and exciting difference in cultural representations of arts, history, etc. to be showcased and celebrated. Oops, there's another rant. Apologies, I just watched train wreck TV (sorry, I mean question time..) and I'm not in as good a mood as I was a few hours ago.

Stephanie Kitsune ● 6061d