To: Prime Minister, MPs & local governments
Demanding a public inquiry into the misclassification of Black children as educationally subnormal
We would like you to ask the Prime Minister to consider a public inquiry as to why thousands of intelligent West Indian children were wrongly misclassified as being educationally subnormal in placed into ESN schools, causing a ripple effect through the generations.
Why is this important?
The campaign for a Public Inquiry seeks justice for West Indian children misclassified as "educationally subnormal" (ESN) during the 1960s and 70s. This injustice marginalized generations, leading to cycles of trauma, poverty, mental health struggles, and incarceration, particularly among the children of ESN survivors. Survivors were deprived of foundational skills, making it harder to navigate life's challenges or break generational cycles of hardship.
The inquiry aims to acknowledge this harm, amplify survivor voices, expose systemic racism, and demand compensation for those affected. It also strives to raise awareness, reform education systems to prevent future injustices, and create a more equitable society. By joining, individuals can advocate for dignity, accountability, and change, ensuring history does not repeat itself for all children who are still marginalised due to class, race, and disability.
