09th November 2005

The images of racism being used to shock Scotland's schoolkids

SCHOOL pupils are to be invited to see shocking images of US children at Ku Klux Klan gatherings in a controversial exhibition opening at a Glasgow museum next week.

The council's spokeswoman on equality, Councillor Irene Graham, today defended Generation KKK: Passing The Torch, saying it would force youngsters to confront racism in Scotland.

But race campaigners expressed outrage at the photographs, which will be displayed at St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art.

The exhibition, by photo journalist James Edward Bates who grew up in southern Mississippi, focuses on children - some aged as young as three - being indoctrinated into race hate.

One of the horrific photographs, which depict Mississippi communities from 1998-2002, shows a white boy beside a tree with a black doll hanging from a noose.

Councillor Graham said: "Some people may be quite shocked at what is being depicted here and may think it a problem only America has to worry about.

"We are uncomfortable with the idea that racism exists in Scotland but it does. I hope it will make us challenge our attitude to racism here."

Secondary pupils from all over Scotland will be invited to the show which opens on Thursday, November 17. Workshops on racism and extremism in Scotland and how to combat it are also being arranged for pupils.

There are around 11,500 asylum seekers and refugees living in Glasgow and many have been subjected to racial abuse.

Mr Bates, who began documenting the KKK's activities in 1998, said: "It is not my place to judge this or any issue.

"It is my responsibility as a photojournalist to document life as it happens."

Anti-racism campaigner Robina Quereshi, director of Positive Action on Housing, was outraged about the decision to show pupils the racist images.

She said: "Obviously I'd like to see the exhibition first, but do we really need to see these kinds of pictures?"

But Scottish Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan believes it will serve a valid educational purpose. He said: "Displaying these images of hatred has got to be part of the educational journey."

Tours will be offered to S1-S6 pupils as part of Religious and Moral Education throughout the exhibition which runs until April 9.

A museum education service spokesman said: "Pupils will explore the themes and consider related issues in Scotland, and how these problems can be addressed."

Mr Bates will host a free public talk on November 19, from 2pm at St Mungo's.

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Source: Wendy Miller, The Evening Times