Throughout its history, Nursery World has been engaged in discussions around race and racism, reflecting shifting societal attitudes. Much of the early content, steeped in societal norms and biases, would be considered offensive and racist today. Notwithstanding this, Nursery World provided an early platform for addressing race within the context of nursery education, paving the way for the more inclusive and socially aware discussions we see in the publication today.
In 1936, Ursula Wise (the pseudonym of educationalist and psychoanalyst Susan Isaacs) received a letter from anx
ious nanny ‘A.C.D.’, seeking advice about her charge's fear of black men. Wise explained that the child had associated feelings of hostility and aggression with images of darker skinned characters from books and the theatre.
She reassured the nanny and recommended telling the child stories of black people that are ‘good and helpful’ and talking t
o her about the different sorts of people there are in the world, to help the child realise that the colour of one's skin has no bearing on goodness or badness.
In 1975, Christine Adam wrote, ‘If brown skin looks odd, why do we sunbathe?’ She encouraged white parents to consider adopting or fostering ‘coloured’ children. She urged, ‘So, parents if you are thinking of adopting or fostering, don't be put off … People will look at you, admiring your children.’
A NEW FOCUS
Seventeen years later in 1992, social worker Veronica William, referencing the Race Relations Act (1976), shifted the focus to the child's needs rather than the preferences of white foster parents William argued that black and ethnic minority parents wanted to know if social workers were fully aware of the child's or family's needs, if black staff were involved in the assessment and whether efforts were made to find black foster parents or explore informal care networks of grandparents, aunts and uncles. She also called for race awareness training for all social work staff.
The theme of multiculturalism was also explored in a 1989 news column, ‘Racism's not a priority’. The National Committee on Racism in Children's Books (NCRCB) had published Dragon's Teeth, a magazine focusing on racism in children's books and educational materials. However, the London Borough Grants Scheme discontinued funding, deeming it not a priority.
The column was as a protest and an effort to rally readers to support the NCRCB's appeal. The pioneering work of such organisations has contributed to the heightened awareness of inclusive representation in books today.
Jane Lane examined some ‘uncomfortable facts’ and highlighted that racism ‘exists and persists in the early years field because it is nearly everywhere in Britain’ in a 2008 article. Lane explored the damaging effects of racism on children who experience it and those who are learning to be prejudiced. Her central message emphasised the need to treat all children equally and to create environments where children value and respect those who are different from them. Lane stressed we must ‘be sure that our attitudes do not allow prejudice and discrimination to be unwittingly perpetuated’.
This remains a critical issue today for all involved in early childhood education and beyond.
