‘My fear would be that children could see it as an excuse to use the ‘N’ word’

The North West Migrants Forum says school children would benefit more from hearing the voices of those with lived experience of racism rather than texts like ‘Of Mice and Men’.

The novel - written by Nobel Prize winning American author John Steinbeck in 1937 - has been cast into the spotlight after Belfast student Angel Mbondiya called for it to be removed from her GCSE course due to the use of racial slurs.

Angel said she didn’t find Of Mice and Men “appropriate for schools”, adding that she believes it should be taken off the English literature programme altogether.

Since making her remarks, Angel’s mother has revealed that a threat has been made against the schoolgirl.

Steinbeck’s work chronicles the lives of fictional characters George Milton and Lennie Small, displaced migrant ranch workers on the hunt for jobs in California. It also features a character named Crooks, a stable-hand who befriends Lennie and faces discrimination because he is black.

It is one of seven books that schools in Northern Ireland can choose from for pupils studying the course.

Objecting to its continued use as an educational tool, Angel said, “It's just really uncomfortable sitting in a classroom where we have to listen to racist slurs and comments. 

“I understand the history behind it and stuff but you can learn that in history about slavery. The impact it has is that it just makes you feel weak, really. It doesn't sit right.”

Naomi Green is Programmes Manager with the North West Migrants Forum.

She said there are many books and texts which address racism. A a better approach would be to listen to the voices of those with lived experience of it.

“Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a great book which addresses racism powerfully without having the same impact on pupils. It is by the black American writer Mildred D Taylor and I feel that is an important point, that we hear the voice of lived experience.

“John Steinbeck is of course a key figure in literature but at the same time we need to consider the maturity of kids at that age and the power imbalance when there may be just one or two black children in the classroom. We need to consider the impact on them when the ‘N’ word is used by a figure of authority. 

“We also have to consider the high incidence rate of racism in society as a whole but also racial bullying in school and the failure to address it. 

“There is also a general lack of racial literacy and consciousness in Northern Ireland. Empowering teachers and other pupils to use the ‘N’ word in class may have a negative impact in this context. 

“Steinbeck's book can highlight racism from his perspective but I think more would be achieved if we listened to and centred the voices of those with lived experience,” Ms Green added.

Grace Flood and Kelsie McShane are AS Level students at St Cecilia’s College in Derry and are long-time volunteers with the North West Migrants Forum.

Grace, who is 17, said the book had come up in class conversation following Angel Mbondiya’s comments.

“The book is taught to 14 and 15-year-olds and my fear would be that children of that age could see it as an excuse to use the ‘N’ word. Teachers say they use the slur because they have to, contextually. My concern would be that pupils hearing their teacher using that word might say ‘I can say it too but it’s in context’. And then they use without any context at all.”

Kelsie McShane, who is also 17, said that as a story she enjoyed the book. But hearing the derogatory language was troubling.

“I loved the book and my teacher did state that they had to use the language because it was part of the book. But when they did say it, I did feel uncomfortable and was thinking ‘Do you really have to say that?’”

Ultimately culture cannot be erased no matter how hard you try, said the two friends. 

“It comes down to how you teach the book,” said Grace.

As to whether Of Mice and Men should be banished to history, the students said there were other options.

“If you find pupils at that age, 13 and 14, are not mature enough to understand it then move it up to AS-Level or A-Level,” suggested Grace.

“You don’t have to take it off the list altogether and the fact that racism does exist and is present in our society should be taught because it is a serious issue. People need to learn but there are better ways to go about it.

“I think that it should stay but there are options and alternatives. If people want to keep it then keep it but move it up, compromise.”

Kelsie McShane added, “I don’t think it should go completely because I did enjoy analysing it. But it should be moved up if students aren’t mature to be taught it and understand it.”