A teenager in Cumbria, UK, has been arrested following a racially motivated attack on a black schoolboy that was captured on video and went viral on social media.
Schoolyard Assault Sparks Outrage
The video shows the white male teen repeatedly punching and shoving the black victim, who is reportedly a recent immigrant from Zimbabwe. The attacker is also seen ordering the victim to kiss his shoes.
The incident, which is said to have occurred at St John Henry Newman Catholic School in Carlisle, has caused widespread condemnation. Cumbria police confirmed the arrest of the teenage suspect in a statement on Saturday.
“We are aware of the video circulating online and the concerns it has caused within the community,” the statement said. “We urge people not to share the video further to avoid hindering legal proceedings or identifying the children involved.”
Calls to Address Racial Bullying
The incident has reignited discussions about racial bullying in UK schools. Zimbabwean journalist Chofamba Sithole expressed outrage at the attack and urged the Zimbabwean embassy in London to take action.
Sithole highlighted the boy’s vulnerability as a recent arrival and emphasized the need for the UK to address its own issues with racism. He pointed to a recent incident where a Black female Member of Parliament was racially abused, with minimal response from the government.
“The young boy who was racially assaulted in the videos that have gone viral on social media is Zimbabwean, from my hometown, Mutare.
“He only arrived in the UK last December and you can imagine how traumatised he must be to experience such vile treatment. Having grown up in a country where he would not have experienced racism of any sort, the depth of the trauma he has suffered from this dehumanisation is unimaginable,” Chofamba wrote on X.
He said the UK has a long history of intervening in Zimbabwe to call out human rights abuses and at some point, especially under Tony Blair, this constituted a moral crusade that projected western countries, former colonisers who by the act of colonisation negated African humanity, as morally superior teachers of human rights to erring former colonies.
However, Sithole’s comments resonated with many, sparking calls for a more proactive approach to tackling racial prejudice within educational institutions and society as a whole.
Hope for Stronger Measures
The arrest of the suspect is a positive step towards accountability. However, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against racial bullying. It is hoped that this case will prompt a critical evaluation of how schools and communities can work together to create a more inclusive and respectful environment for all students.
Source: New Zimbabwe
