Tackling Racism in Schools

The article “Teachers, pupils on a mission to tackle racism in Australian schools” addresses the issue of racism in schools, specifically Punchbowl Boys High School in southwest Sydney.  In an interview for this article, the principal of the school, Jihad Dib, discusses what actions he is taking to combat racism.  He explains that the Punchbowl Boys High school is located in a troubled community, a community filled with gangs, crime and drugs, and that the school suffers as a result.  In order to tackle racism in the school and bring about change, Jihad Dib has sought to bridge the gap between school and community.  His aim is for the school to serve as a lighthouse for the community and to build a community around the school.  In order to tackle racism, the school has employed anti-racism contact officers and worked to build a sense of community.  Jihad Dib has made it a point to know every single student and their parents.  He is always connected with the staff and the parents, and there is a mutual respect between him and the students.  He has created a sense of family within the school, making everyone feel integrated and affiliated.  In building a community, he has built a sense of belonging.

Though people are engaging across cultural difference, and racism is not as large of an issue as it once was, combatting racism is by no means an easy process.  Though it may not be outwardly expressed or recognized, racism is and will continue to be present in our society, more specifically in schools.  Schools are a cultural melting pot, harboring students who have different values, beliefs, etc.  These cultural differences become a source of conflict, often resulting in racism.  But there is no place for racism in a school environment, let alone society.  “It is unreasonable to expect an absence of conflict in diverse settings, such as schools.  Nevertheless, conflict and hostility can exist alongside a politics of respect for the presence of others” (Ho 2011).  It is nearly impossible for a student to become all that they can be in the face of racism. I think that if racism were to be eliminated from society, it would have to begin in schools, with the youngest members of society, and grow to larger scale, reflecting in communities, and then society as a whole.  Though I do not think that elimination of racism from our society is possible, I do think that racism can be minimized, particularly in school environments. Such efforts should begin in primary schools, when children are at a very impressionable age.  If they learn from a young age to be accepting of everyone and to treat everyone equally, racism will be less of an issue moving forward.  Even “the simple acknowledgement of the legitimacy of others’ presence within a social space” would be a step towards minimizing racism.  “Allowing people to simply inhabit space without interference can be a powerful form of recognition and respect, a way of widening the range of acceptable social and cultural differences” (Ho 2011).  I think that all schools should implement strategies to combat racism, similar to those put in place at Punchbowl Boys High School.  In addition to schools implementing such strategies, it is important for teachers not to dismiss racist comments or actions, but to address them and put them to rest.  Teachers must set an example for their students and have a no tolerance policy for racism in the classroom.  Teachers serve as role models for students and if students see that their teachers do not stand for racism, they will adopt a similar attitude.

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).