A parent-teacher association for an Anglican primary school in Kent has apologised after members taking part in a well-known bonfire night celebration wore blackface makeup, among them a local Conservative councillor. The town stages a large procession of carnival floats through the centre to the site of the bonfire where an effigy is burned. It echoes a longstanding row over the similar if better-known bonfire night celebrations in Lewes, East Sussex, where some participants traditionally wore Zulu-type outfits, and blacked up their faces. “The school is proud of its multicultural staff and pupils and does not tolerate any racism or bullying. There was no intention to hurt anyone’s feelings and any upset caused is completely contrary to what they hoped to bring to Bonfire night.

Source: The Guardian November 07, 2018 13:02 UTC