Schhol Governor Update

[dave1948]

Recently I advised on this board an issue relating school governors and a comment which was perceived as racist.

I promised an update. Today I attended a meeting with the Headteacher and Chair of Governors. Sadly their intransigent approach meant that I was virtually forced to resign or in their words be subject to an enquiry by the Local Authority.

One word which I admit should not have been used (but certainly not intended as being racist) brings an end to four years of service and many hours spent working with children.

Don't let anyone tell you that volunteering is valued today.

[kvalidir]

Sorry to hear things went badly for you Dave. Do you mind me asking though what it was you actually said or were alleged to have said?

[factor-fiction]

I recall it was reference to the "N***** in a woodpile"

[Mamyalynne]

Sadly phrases that were once fine taken in context are now singled out regardless of the way in which they are used.

Sad it has come to this for you Dave, don't let it deter you from volunteering in other parts of Society.

[weecalf]

Did they actually say what you were supposed to have said ?

[Svejk]

At least you were only volunteering, Dave. Imagine how it feels to lose one's livelihood over this kind of nonsense.
Not to lessen how obviously saddened you are by this.

[dave1948]

The expression used was N*****in the woodpile.

I apologised at the time and again today. Sadly my time as a volunteer has ended today as I have no wish to be subjected to this. The Head said I was welcome to continue to work in the school as a volunteer so it seems he is happy to have a racist working with children but not as a Governor.

Can one unintended word have such an effect ? It really does beggar believe Agatha Christie would have been hung were she still alive.

[Milvus]

Can you suggest how the use of your phrase is anything but racially derogatory.
As you resigned rather than be interviewed and have the opportunity to put your case, I expect you can't.

[wolf63]

I work in a charity shop and we managed to sell a book at much more than I expected because of the language used. I think it was also the N-word. It is a word that was used time ago and would have vanished altogether if this PC stuff hadn't come along.

Good luck dave

[Prudie]

Milvus phrases like that used to roll off the tongue without the speaker actually analysing what it meant or having racial insult intended. We have learnt now how offensive they are but sometimes words just come out. it's very unfair for dave to be judged so harshly.

[DTCwordfan]

I would send the School a letter summarising your take on today.....express your remorse, the context of using a once-oft-used expression and your innocence in this, and how you would like to continue your work and support, highlighting any achievements that you have made for the benefit of the school.

Good luck - however, if you have already resigned, it may be too late.

[kvalidir]

It is racially derogatory Milvus but it's also something which was a very common expression and probably not really thought about when uttered. Dave has said he didn't mean it to be racially offensive. There is a difference between someone who is a racist and someone who simply doesn't think about what they are saying. someone said to my mother about someone being tight ' oh he's such a Jew!'- my mother is Jewish but she knew it wasn't intended s a racial slur so it didnt upset her.

[DTCwordfan]

Oh - and there's the parallel with the Devon DJ on this N word recently - he got his job back eventually but declined it.

[237SJ]

Regarding the volunteering in the school but not being a Governor, I`d have told them to get stuffed.

[dave1948]

Put it this Milvus Jeremy Clarkson still works for the BBC on a big salary and used a similar expression, I used the expression with reference to "an awkward problem" and it seems to me that this is indication of just how the politically correct take things to ridiculous extents.

[dave1948]

I have no intention of continue to volunteer at that school. The children are a pleasure to work with but they are led by people who feel that it is more important to make a mountain out of a molehill rather than accepting that it was something said which merited a slap on the wrist and let's get on with life.

[Mamyalynne]

This is precisely why I mentioned context - whilst the origins may indeed refer to the actual concealment of slaves in woodpiles or similar, the meaning was diluted down to be taken as "some fact of considerable importance that is not disclosed—something suspicious or wrong"

Which is presumably how you used it .

Now if a group of grown ups could not have quietly and civilly explained there and then that they did not approve of that phrase, I despair that they are in charge of out Childrens future.

[Mamyalynne]

^ our

[Milvus]

Prudie, I am of n age when phrase like this were commonplace. People certainly know what they meant. The test is would Dave say this to a person of African or Afro caribbean descent and still think it wash't out of place.
Dave so why is a xxxx in a woodpile the same as an awkward problem? What makes it so?

[pixie373]

That's exactly right, mamya. I've never heard the phrase and would be quite shocked to hear someone saying that, tbh. But it would be something i would mention there and then- especially if there were no other concerns with that person.

[Mamyalynne]

Merriam Webster Dictionary

n****r in the woodpile

Full Definition of N****R IN THE WOODPILE

dated now offensive
: something (as a concealed motive or obscure factor) contrary to appearances in a situation