Talking Points
TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT…
RACISM
Guest writer, teacher and published co-author of Return to Kirrin,Suzy Howlett , explores The Famous Five and racism. Words Suzy Howlett
© Adobe Stock
O
h-oh! I’ve just had a chinwag with a lovely friend who has something new to fret about. We were getting dewy-eyed over memories of curling up, as children, with a bit of escapist mystery and adventure – especially if it involved islands, unsupervised children, and suspicious ne’er-do-wells. But (you’ve guessed it) those old stories don’t pass muster when it comes to dodgy attitudes to gender, race and class which we rightly want to leave behind. Should she read them to her children? She wanted to – just as we enjoy sharing favourite rhymes and games – but could she? I think she can. As a child, those Enid Blyton characters were my friends. I couldn’t resist sharing them with my own children. But I’m a teacher who works in Equalities and my job often involves challenging racist behaviour. How can that work?
Most of us don’t mind comfort blankets – they provide simple pleasure and eventually children venture out without them. A few chocolate buttons sneak into the balanced diet, too. Similarly, why not enjoy some jolly escapism with dollops of self-reliant children thrown in? It won’t turn anyone into a xenophobic Stepford Wife. I read Jane Austen, but don’t feel the urge to wear bonnets or hanker after a bit of embroidery in the parlour (well, not often). I recently heard a group of seven-yearolds discussing their favourite Famous Five adventures, laughing at the silliness of the boys’ attitudes to what girls should
and shouldn’t do. They reckoned the joke was on Julian (pompous oldest cousin) because George (independent “tomboy”) did her own thing anyway. Yes, the writing is not exactly bursting with literary merit, and yes, the attitudes reflect the awful prejudices of the time – Enid Blyton was born in 1897, after all – but these Year 3 children can see that the books are retro. They understand perfectly well that things have changed, and they find it interesting, and worth discussing. Actually, I wonder whether Anne, even with her love of cooking and tidying up, is less of a stereotype than some of the pink and glittery fashionpeg characters pushed at girls today. She and George, clearly a hero, represent two different ways you can be yourself (though it’s a pity George feels she has to be a boy to do what she wants). But, just as you sneak the comfort blanket into the washing machine, do square up to a discussion or two. A conversation about snobbery or racist stereotypes is a great opportunity – though keep it for later reflection unless your child expresses an interest along the way. It’s all about the stories, after all. You and I can list a hundred wonderful children’s books out there which will challenge, stimulate, delight, provoke and comfort. Quite right, too. Bring them on, please! But let’s not over-think this and find yet another thing to worry about. Read them, share them, love them, but talk about them. Can we make a place for the comfort blanket, with its easy pleasure,
thelittlethingsmagazine.com |
| 11
