Toddlers who dislike spicy food 'racist'
By Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent
Last Updated: 9:29AM BST 08/07/2008 | Comments 966 | Have Your Say
Toddlers who turn their noses up at spicy food from overseas could be branded racists by a Government-sponsored agency.

The National Children's Bureau, which receives £12 million a year, mainly from Government funded organisations, has issued guidance to play leaders and nursery teachers advising them to be alert for racist incidents among youngsters in their care.

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

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".

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."

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

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

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

Is disliking spicy food a sign of racism? Leave your comments below

Toddlers who dislike spicy food racist, say report - Telegraph

I MUST HATE everybody and not even aware I don't like anybody!!!!!
I miss to understand how saying yuk to asparagus when I was 2 has anything to do with race.

I can understand the racial slurs indicating this but peas and carrots!!!???

NeedKarma

Crazy people are everywhere. Including the people who wrote that article.

George_1950

How is it that the people who wrote the article are crazy?

George_1950

Thanks for this piece, NOhelp. "The National Children's Bureau, which receives £12 million a year, mainly from Government funded organisations, has issued guidance to play leaders and nursery teachers advising them to be alert for racist incidents among youngsters in their care." Sounds like some Bolsheviks need to be put back in their cage!
ps: This sounds Obamaesque: "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.'"

N0help4u

Yeah they were commenting on the book. Not their own opinion.

NeedKarma

Ah yes, you are correct. There is no need for that kind of expenditure. If the kids are going to be racist it will come from their parents, regardless of what schools or daycares teach.

N0help4u

..... or what word the kid uses to describe the nasty taste when they bite into liver for the first time

tomder55

This fits in well and ties together the other postings about the food police and political correctness in the UK .

My daughter ,when she was a young child, took a bite out of a jalepeno . Her reaction was proof positive that she has issues with Mexicans.
But now that she is old enough to drink Margaritas ,her opinion has obviously moderated .

N0help4u

...let us know if she ends up marrying a Mexican and/or opening a Mexican restaurant
Then their idea is sunk hook line and sinker!!!

tomder55

BTW I still refuse to eat asapragus. What does that tell you about my prejudices against Ancient Greeks ?
History of Asparagus