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Pupils lined up by colour for photograph
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard23.10.07
Children were left in tears after they were separated according to their skin colour for school photos.
More than 100 boys and girls aged from seven to 11 were lined up from the fairest skinned to the darkest.
But the segregation left several of the pupil so upset they cried to their parents when they got home.
One angry mum said: "My 10-year-old was told to go further back in the line as she was not white enough. She came home devastated saying, 'I wish my skin was lighter mummy.'"
Another parent, Ann Andrew, 49, said her daughter, Angela, 10, came home in tears and said: "My school's so racist."
Dozens of parents have complained to Sandhurst Junior School in Lewisham.
Headteacher Val Hughes said pupils had been divided up according to skin tone but claimed it was to make it easier for the photographer.
In a letter to Mrs Andrews she said: "Some classes were organised lightest to darkest skin tone and some darkest to lightest. This meant the photographer did not have to keep readjusting his reflector screens."
Parents are planning to protest to Lewisham Council.
Reader views (15)
As a pro photographer I'd have to say that the guy had the right idea, but went about it in the wrong way. To be fair, you do need to use different reflectors and varying positions of lights for different colours of skin. I don't believe it's racist to try to take the best possible photo, is it?
- Matt, Chesterfield
If this was a professional photographer he/she would not have to do this as I have photos from school as young as 4years old in nursery, in an almost all white school and in those days digital cameras didn't exist and NOT even the lighting had to be adjusted for me and/or my friends. No-one would stand for this in a place of work so why should it be allowed in our schools.
- Katrina, Lambeth, London
We don't know the circumstances of the day, the pressure to finish on time, etc. Not an ideal situation, but also not a crime. We are different, and recognizing that in it of itself is not a bad thing. There was no discrimination here, only a tangible recognition of our differences.
- The Swede, Oxford, UK
As a black teacher, I could kind of see for the photos benefit what they were trying to achieve (only if that was the sole objective for the photo) but do not add superiority to the white children, but in all honesty, it should not be happening at all. Children should be brought up and taught so that they don’t see colour, but they see individuals!
- Marques, London
Val Hughes, wake up, this is 2007 for crying out loud. How can you make such a comment, by lining up the children, would make it easier for the photographer? Where on earth did you get the photographer from? He must certainly be an amateur! Can't believe that things like this are still going on in schools. I feel sorry for the children who had to go through this and even sorrier for the head teacher and photographer.
- Brenda, Lambeth, London
Having a mixed race child and being black myself, I find the whole situation abhorrent and disgraceful! For anyone in ANY profession, yet alone a teaching position to not only offend in such a manner but to actually DEFEND such actions is full of the very ignorance they are in the position to change!
What does this say for the education of the youth of Lewisham if their 'educators' are so incredibly thick?
I moved from Lewisham to rural Ireland, thinking narrow-mindedness would be more rife due to the lack of indigenous people. How wrong was I?
Talk about taking one step forward and fifty steps back...
I am mortified!
- Chanelle, Kildare, Ireland
Before we all jump to conclusion of racism, lets think outside of the box for a minute... this is a photographer at work; art requires some imaginative process of mixing colours to create different shades and light... could be an attempt to create something different from your usual everyday photograph...a 'school of different hues'!
- Wally Jaye, London
And what if he were to arrange them by height order? Age? Surname?
Get over it. It’s not racism. It’s not like he was taking better pictures of the white kids then using a worse camera for the darker kids.
What if that kids had gone home crying about wanting to be taller? Older? Have a different surname? Would there be a fuss? Not a chance.
I feel very sorry for the photographer.
- Mark, London
Having seen News at Ten's efforts to dramatise this story I really think it's been blown out of all proportions. None of the children interviewed seemed in the least bit bothered - I particularly liked one little girl who when asked what ethnic background the child next to her in the line was answered: 'She's coloured -red, dark red!'
- Paul, London
This is appalling. Camera's are more than capable of dealing with different levels of colour throughout an image. This is blatant racism and should not be allowed to happen in today’s society.
- Peter Horrex, Enfield, North London
Its disgraceful, we are trying to teach our children not to judge someone by the colour of their skin yet when they go to school they are being taught exactly that.
- Sue, London
I can't believe that this happened in a school, obviously, those that allowed this to happen are not fit to teach. If something as reprehensible and abhorrent as this could happen in Lewisham, what happens in schools where there are only a handful of minorites.
- Bola Ogunkoya, Croydon
Making it easier in what way for the photographer? Excuses! Excuses! It would appear that children in that school have got a great deal to teach the head teacher and photographer alike. The angry and upset comments that they made to their parents shows that they are a huge step ahead in their thinking compared to those who are supposed to be responsible for their education. I wonder what criteria you would like to be lined up on dear head teacher and photographer! I wish that I had pictures of you so that I could start making a list...see how you like it!
- Sharon, Herts
That is the biggest load of rubbish I have ever heard. Never in any school photo taken as this been necessary... why start now!
- Rachroo, London
Can you be clear please if this was for individual photos of the children or segregated group photos? Big difference.
If it was for individual photos and the photographer is saying its much quicker for each child if you group like skin tones together as the lighting requirement is the same - for 150+ children this could save hours (and potentially save money to be spent otherwise on books/computer equipment etc).
Clearly if this had been communicated or consulted properly with parents and students in advance you would have less of a problem.
Above anything else it is essential all people are not only given equitable opportunities but also feel they are getting equitable opportunities regardless of the colour of their skin or background.
- Matt, London, England
