Bullying as an institutionally exclusionary practice – implications of ignoring culturally specific support needs of Black male students in further education (FE)

Abstract

Stereotypical bullying is usually configured as actions that occur between individuals where there is an ‘imbalance of power or strength’ (Kowalski, Lomber and Agatston). However, bullying can also be conceived as an organisational process, where systemised institutional practices results in ‘the collective failure … of an organization to provide an appropriate and professional service’ (Macpherson), leaving some groups feeling voiceless and powerless. Macpherson identified Black people as being at risk of this type of discrimination ‘because of their colour’ (ibid). The 2010 Equality Act explicitly requires all public organisations including further education (FE) colleges to find ways to meet the unique cultural needs of minority ethnic populations groups so that no group should feel isolated or unsupported. This paper explores how bullying may be an institutional act that excludes some groups and how colleges may meet their commitment to provide a culturally relevant support service to Black male students studying in FE.