Racism in Education

Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world (Taha, 2013), and is the product of more than two centuries of immigration. Ho (2011) states that "People are continually engaging across culture difference, in their neighborhoods, schools, workplaces and other settings”. Unfortunately, there have been many high profile racist incidents that have occurred within school environments. In this context, racism occurs as a result of the many different cultural differences that may exist in a school environment. Racism within schools is an ongoing issue that is mainly the result of prejudice of ‘different’ cultures and also a failure to understand the differences of another race.  It can also be seen indirectly in incidents of racist abuse, harassment and discrimination.

The feeling of racism is something I cannot describe because I believe everyone deals with it in their own particular way. Some people may confront the person verbally whereas others may withdraw into themselves.  Some find it easy to talk openly about, others find it too embarrassing so keep it to themselves.However, despite ones dealing methods, one way or another, it is impossible for a school student to reach their full potential when they receive daily messages that they are insignificant human beings. Racisms enduring nature makes it fitting to ask, is enough being done to address racism in schools?

Punchbowl Boys High School “is home to 440 students from 35 different cultural groups and 98 per cent of the students come from non-English speaking backgrounds”. This multicultural school has had a challenging past where “violence and damage was not … unusual” (Dib, 2013). However, like any other school, there are many ways that the school staff have and continue to help tackle the issue of Racism. “When dealing with racism, the school has employed anti-racism contact officers and worked to build a sense of community” (Taha, 2013).

There are many other strategies that can be implemented in schools to help stamp out racism such as embedding multiculturalism in the national curriculum so students will be educated on ‘cultural competency’. This will help familiarize students with different cultures so to demolish any negative attitudes that school students may have towards cultures other than their own and to encourage ‘cultural fluency’. Although these are excellent approaches towards combating Racism, I think it is also imperative that all teachers are able to recognize racism. I also think it is vital that they do not dismiss racist comments as trivial, even if it is just a ‘stereotype’ because when any racist attitudes and behaviours are permitted in a school, students start to view these actions as acceptable and therefore normal, and so this allows racism to become embedded in everyday life.

It is critical that school students are given the opportunity to evolve into ‘culturally competent citizens’. This ensures that when presented with people with different principles, beliefs or morals in the future, they are able to co-exist together in harmony without any conflict. 

References 

Taha, M. (2013, July 31). Teachers, pupils on mission to tackle racism in Australian schools. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-31/hip-hop-helps- students-overcome-racism-in-australian-schools/4854174 

Ho, C. (2011). Respecting the Presence of Others: School Micropublics and Everyday Multiculturalism. Journal of Intercultural Studies Vol. 32, No. 6, December 2011, (pp. 603-619).