‘I wished I wasn’t Black’, one woman's story of racism in care

More children are in the care system, but accommodation is in short supply - and that means thousands of youngsters are being sent many miles away from their homes, their friends and their schools to start new lives with foster parents or in specialist placements.

That can leave children feeling lonely and isolated - yet Channel 4 News has seen data indicating that councils in England aren't fully recording their experiences.

This is one young woman's story about the racism she suffered when she was moved into care - around a hundred miles from everyone she knew.
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[teeteeme]

When I was called names because of my skin colour, I told my dad and he took Me on long holidays to west Africa. It was, the best thing he did. I began to love my culture and myself. My dad told me to be proud of who I am. Thank you dad.

[chocolateamethyst]

I’m a 42 year old black woman from America. I was called an N at 10 years old by a classmate!!! I ended up fighting him!!! After that he realized I wasn’t the one!!! And I was just 10

[BaybieK]

The fact that parents teach their kids to be racist infuriates me.

[Why-I-Oughta]

I bet the people who bullied her were jealous because of how pretty she is.

[avalonjustin]

Nothing wrong with being black, or white, or any race. Young people need to be taught to be respectful to others.

[adriaank]

What a pretty woman! I wish her the best.

[Frederique]

I am really annoyed by the lack of care and empathy this country has towards black women. Why the decision making process doesn’t include black women ?

[MarianLivingLife]

This is so common unfortunately. I worked as a Social Worker for 22 years and there is so much racism when it comes to black and dual heritage children. Even when I’ve spoken out about the amount of black children placed in locations in the middle of nowhere where they don’t see any other black people and also where their Foster Carers are White or Asian. There’s a lack of cultural awareness and understanding about the cultural needs of ethnic minority children and it’s sad.

[lodersdriving]

Beautiful lady exactly as she is. Truly wish her and her family all the best after such an awful experience.

[agnesphilips]

What a beauty..I hope she's okay now.

[Londonlight]

£447 a week fostering allowance for a British child, £588 for an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child. The problem starts when you put monetary value on children’s lives and futures. This young lady is beautiful and articulate, you have to be strong to survive the UK care system. I really hope her and her siblings can build a strong unit

[mstt]

Yet they say racism doesn’t exist anymore in our society! What a joke! Can you imagine how many young people are currently going through the same situation this young woman went through?

[equinox]

She was bullied so bad she didn't want to be black, you can see that in the choice of her daughters father.

[scribblezgfx]

“Sit at the back of the class” sounds like she went back in time to an era of Rosa Parks.

[alexandrepereira]

Please… someone tell her she is beautiful … she seems to have a very good personality… she will be very happy and I hope she finds a real good husband, family, children …

[reamoinmcdonachadh]

Sibs fight, argue all the time!! The thing is finding the root of the squabbling and address that. Separating Siblings is never the right option, unless it's life or death.

[ReviewBoard-uynv]

I was like Louise when I was growing up. It’s so awful. I hope things are better

[UnknownUser-byle]

Separating arguing sibling, seriously. Siblings spend 90% of the time arguing.


The system isn’t fit for purpose

[niccoarcadia]

Kids can be so cruel. People carry scars for life when they were tormented by other kids in childhood settings.

[Kris-xhwk]

I'm Polish, living in Warwickshire. My neighbours are incredibly racist and xenophobic. They teach their children to throw stones at my house and damage my car daily. The police won't help me. I live in fear for my life. I'm suicidal 😥