Tiny Bigots?

Taking a huge step toward the utterly ridiculous, England's National Children's Bureau has issued a guidebook for 'play leaders' and nursery workers which outlines 'racist incidents' that may come from the toddlers in their care.

From this source , all emphasis mine:

This [racist incidents] could include a child of as young as three who says "yuk" in response to being served unfamiliar foreign food.

Um... Ever tried to get a two or three-year-old to eat anything but candy? News flash: At that age, there is only one thing in their little lives they can control, and that is what goes in the mouth.

The guidance by the NCB is designed to draw attention to potentially-racist attitudes in youngsters from a young age.

It alerts playgroup leaders that even babies can not be ignored in the drive to root out prejudice as they can "recognise different people in their lives".

What the hell does that mean? 

The 366-page guide for staff in charge of pre-school children, called Young Children and Racial Justice, warns: "Racist incidents among children in early years settings tend to be around name-calling, casual thoughtless comments and peer group relationships."

Name-calling? Thoughtlessness? That sounds like rather typical behavior from a three-year-old. I guess my toddler is a racist when she calls her brother stupid, or when she doesn't consider my feelings? Puh-lease.

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

What about "whitey," "cracker", or "infidel?" 

Oh, that's right. Minorities cannot be racists.

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

Yeah, again, just try getting a two-year-old to eat, period. 

Oh, and am I a racist when I dislike, say, sushi? No... I just don't like it. 

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."

Warning that failing to pick children up on their racist attitudes could instil prejudice, the NCB adds that if children "reveal negative attitudes, the lack of censure may indicate to the child that there is nothing unacceptable about such attitudes".

Nurseries are encouraged to report as many incidents as possible to their local council. The guide added: "Some people think that if a large number of racist inc

idents are reported, this will reflect badly on the institution. In fact, the opposite is the case."

Oh, good gawd, I can't take it...