Reply to the Hull Daily Mail

The Editor
The Hull Daily Mail
Blundell’s Corner
Beverley Road
Hull
HU3 1XS


20 February 2012

Dear Sir / Madam

I am writing in connection with your article “Boy, 7, faces racism claim after 'curious' question at Griffin Primary School” published on Saturday 18 February 2012.

I would like to state that the statement published does not represent the meaning of what I said on the telephone interview. I stressed the fact that this incident was a learning opportunity for all of us to reflect and increase our learning on multicultural communities. This was the emphasis of my message in the interview, which was not presented to the readers.

I was asked explicitly whether the comments of a child were racism and I stated I did not believe this was the case, although I understand the school has to follow its policies and also explained that in the past HANA helped to deliver ethnic awareness workshops in schools but due to the lack public funds I believe that less is done now to continue delivering these raising awareness projects.

Lack of awareness makes children, and indeed adults, to make comments that single out other individuals, and this is wrong, but this shows how much in need we are of a coherent approach to deal with modern ethnically diverse communities. We all, children and adults, should learn from this incident in the school and develop raising awareness opportunities that result in more cohesive communities. Children cannot be held accountable for this, and both children involved in this incident deserve our support.

At this age, children are in the process of learning and their views are obviously shaped by the wider community and the schools, and this is another reason to reflect how as a community we grow culturally aware.

The community groups we work with deliver ethnic awareness sessions in schools and HANA is a vehicle of community integration. We promote understanding of all communities to encourage race equality by bringing people of all ethnicities and cultures together to learn from each other and integrate in the local community. With this purpose we promote music, arts, sports, fashion shows, traditional food demonstrations cultural workshops and community development for all communities to feel part of, and contribute to, the life of this City and the region.

The unfortunate incident described in the newspaper has developed into public debate and this is, I believe, the essence of democratic societies, and as such we welcome it, but obviously we encourage moderation and understanding of everyone’s points of view.

Yours faithfully

Abel Rivera
Humber All Nations Alliance

Published on 20th February 2012