Tony Mooney’s excellent article “Prejudice is in the hands of the beholder” (TES, September 1) on stereotyping by teachers referred several times to “West Indian” boys.
These boys are most probably second or third generation British-born and referring to them in this way reinforces prejudice.
It also enables some teachers to regard these pupils as “foreign”.
We do not refer to others whose grandparents or great-grandparents were not British born in this way.
Working recently with black British young people, their sense of permanently being made to feel different at school has made me very aware of the insensitivity of some teachers.
Correct language is a crucial first step.
STEPHANIE SEGAL 12 Church Crescent London N3
