ABSTRACT
This chapter argues the term 'racial' incidents needs to be deconstructed in order to differentiate between incidents which are legitimated by and expressive of racism and those which involve conflict, in one form or another, between individuals or groups perceived to be racially different. Councillor Summerby's indignation at the suggestion that a 'racial incident' might consist of something more insidious and pervasive than the overt forms of racism associated with groups such as the National Front is another common assertion. An increasing number had 'racialised' their stance to encourage anti-racist initiatives on the agenda of educational reform. But despite an increased awareness that 'racial' incidents impact on the educational careers, security and welfare of black children, there remains a number of important gaps and limitations in understanding their antecedents, incidence and consequences. In turn, this has inhibited the emergence of an effective policy, not only in response but also in attempts to pre-empt the outbreak of these incidents.
