Children at the Fischbank daycare centre in Rostock on Germany’s north coast were banned from playing as Indians due to so-called cultural sensitivities.
They had asked to hold an Indian-themed party but the daycare refused to do so after one father had complained about the word “Indian”, saying using it as a description of native-Americans was insensitive.
The daycare centre said instead of the “offensive” use of Indians, it would host a party under the theme of “Horses and ponies”, newspaper Ostsee Zeitung reported on July 3.
“We sincerely apologise for using the word ‘Indians’ in our summer party theme. Since the children’s council had wanted this topic, we took it on directly,” the daycare centre director Christine Runge wrote in an email to parents.
“We have to take the complaint from the parents seriously – and that’s what we do.
“There are parents who reject such terms, for understandable reasons. Other parents, on the other hand, want the daycare centre to be a place where their children can develop and play free of political debates.”
She claimed it was a growing challenge for educators and daycare managers to maintain what she said was a delicate balancing act.
“We are aware that this term does not adequately reflect the diversity and cultural significance of the indigenous peoples of North America,” Runge’s email to parents read.
“In the future, we will make sure to use more respectful terms and inform the children accordingly.”
Marko Grunert, managing director of the Learning and Living Institute, which Fischbank was a part of, defended the daycare’ centre’s decision: “The theme came directly from the children, but due to external concerns, a neutral alternative was chosen to ensure a joyful, carefree summer celebration.”
Ostsee Zeitung reported that only one parent had complained and most other parents were annoyed by the apparent political decision.
Local Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Daniel Peters said: “This political over-correctness only annoys people. I have no understanding for that. Our children should continue to be allowed to play ‘cowboys and Indians’, just as we used to do.”
Nikolaus Kramer, who leads the parliamentary group of the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD) in Schwerin Castle, said: “It is an absurdity that the will of the children is ignored because of a minority opinion. And the daycare centre management still has to implement it.”
Christian Albrecht of the hard left Die Linke Party said: “The right-wing fringe is trying to carry the culture war into the daycare centres.”
She added, though: “The process must be discussed between the parents and the daycare centre management. There are committees for this, such as parents’ representatives.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education in Schwerin, led by Simone Oldenburg (Die Linke), said there was no ban on “Indian parties” or similar events.
“Such matters are solely the responsibility of the individual daycare providers,” she said.
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