Racist comment

[chas2008]

is my grandson (12) being called a pikey (just because his parents own a touring caravan) a racist comment ? ..

[4getmenot]

yes it is

[chas2008]

its turned into a serious bullying issue so we just wondered how the school would treat a comment like that.

[mccfluff]

yes and the school should be dealing with it

[chelle7272]

yes it is. the schoo, should treat it as such anyway if he felt it was.

[TheOtherHalf]

I dont think racism just refers to blacks does it ?

[4getmenot]

no its different races

[Prudie]

I think it's abusive not racist. But times have changed, when I was at school and later a teacher name calling such as spastic, pleb, cretin, prossy, gippo, 'flid' were all commonplace and considered mean but not abusive as they are today.

[jomifl]

Good grief, they are just jealous, for a lot of people being a pikey is a lifestyle choice, is calling hell's angels 'bikers' racist?

[Davethedog]

Dear God are his parents travellers, if so yes, if not its a comment by another 12 year old who probably has no idea what it means

School children sometimes do that, you know, call each other names.

If its indicative of something deeper then complain, if not be prepared for your grandson to at age 22 to cry when the sugar runs out.

[pa___ul3]

I don't think it's as simple as that. If your grandson is not an Irish Traveller then it's difficult to say it is racist, but the school should definitely address the situation as those calling him it may not be fully aware of the connotations. It is bullying and if it's affecting your grandson the school have to take action.

[ummmm]

I agree with Dave...

[jno]

sounds like it to me

[douglas9401]

It's only an opinion but I'd be encouraging the young man to develop a sense of humour and not adopt a cringeworthy PC attitude that will turn him into a joyless wet blanket in years to come. Mumsnet for men or some such nonsense.
Tell him to try dishing some out in return, it used to be the way to defuse tense situations without "intervention".

[chas2008]

it was just a question as we were interested how the school would perceive it. No one is especially bothered by it, least of all my grandson,but the liitle sh1t would called him it has tried to smash his wristwatch with a hammer launched a lump of ice at his head causing it to bleed etc,etc... so name calling is the least of the problem.
and yes the school are taking steps..

[costacurta]

If he's calling him a pikey because they own a touring caravan then I'd say its verbal abuse. A bit like calling someone wearing a pink shirt a poof - is that homophobic?

[chas2008]

it probably is now....