Labour has backed the idea of teaching children about white privilege with a shadow minister saying it is “a good idea”.
Shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire said children need “the opportunity to ask difficult questions sometimes of our nation’s history”, insisting it would not be “undermining” Britain.
She was asked about children’s charity Barnado’s, which was criticised for publishing a “guide for parents” about white privilege.
The term refers to inherent advantages possessed by white people over non-white people on the basis of their race, with examples including a lower likelihood of being stopped and searched by police.
The Barnado’s guide encouraged parents to “start the conversation with others who are interested and willing to learn” and to “teach your white friends, family and colleagues about their privilege”.
Ms Debonnaire was asked whether she supported the guide, and told BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme: “We need education that allows children the opportunity to question, to ask difficult questions sometimes of our nation’s history.
"That’s a strong country that’s able to look at itself and its history and say ‘are there things we could have done differently? Are there things we regret? Are there even things that we’re sorry about?
“But also are there things we can learn so that we make a stronger, better country for the future?”
Ms Debbonaire went on to say that “encouraging children to be questioning is a good idea” and is “part of any really good education”.
