An Australian mother was told she was not allowed to bring her baby to a local playgroup because she was blond and spoke English.
The Courier Mail reported, via Vlad Tepes:
Like most mothers with young children, Coverdale enjoys opportunities to socialise with other mothers of children the same age while on maternity leave, especially in her neighbourhood in inner-city Sydney.
So when a Russian-born friend mentioned a playgroup on Thursdays, at the Alexandria Park Community Centre, she was enthusiastic.
Two weeks ago, on a humid Thursday morning, she bundled her eight-month-old baby in the pram and walked with her four-year-old son the short distance to the community centre.
When she arrived, her red-haired son raced off to play while she looked around for her friend.
That was when a staff member approached and asked if it was her first day. Coverdale thought how nice that she was so attentive.
But then the woman said: “Can I ask what your cultural background is?”
Taken aback, Coverdale, who has blonde hair and freckles, said: “I’m Australian”.
Immediately, the woman said: “I’m sorry, you can’t come here. It’s for multicultural families and people who speak languages other than English at home.”
Tara Coverdale says she was turned away from a Sydney playgroup because it's for 'multicultural' families only https://t.co/Q3usBrMROG
— MENON (@pltmenon) April 2, 2017