Racism Issues at School - Essay Example

School Issues Running Head: School Issues Issues Concerning Racism in Schools School Issues 2 Racism has been a major issue notonly in schools but in different sectors of the society in the country and in other parts of the world. There are innumerable studies which identify that there is a correlation between racism and the achievement of students in school. The objectives of this paper are: (1) to identify selected issues pertaining to racism in schools; (2) to seek alternative solutions to the selected issues or problems identified; and (3) to find out who would benefit from the suggested solutions. School Issues 3 INTRODUCTION Racism is not new to our society. It has been a recurring prejudicial stigma since time immemorial. Racism is defined by Random House Dictionary as “a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that ones own race is superior and has the right to rule others.” In schools in the United States, racism has been a long pervading issue affecting the educational system. There are ways and means of addressing school issues pertaining to racism. Concerned administrators, parents, and even students should all join hands to prevent racial prejudice. RACISM ISSUES IN SCHOOLS The first step in order to address any confounding issue, especially on racism, is to be aware of the type of prejudice applied to minorities. From among the eminent racial issues, the following exists: (1) the condescension and violence explicitly expressed toward minorities; (2) restrictions on minorities opportunity to succeed; (3) discriminatory behavior management plans in the classroom; (4) teachers’ differential expectations; (5) the unwillingness of students to discuss racial and linguistic differences due to the belief that problems around race cannot be changed. These are only a few from other issues that surround racism. I selected this issue because for me, I am aware that the abovementioned concerns can be addressed and solved if only there is acceptance to the fact that they, indeed, exist and that something can be done to prevent them. These are pervading issues because I believe that this effects scholastic achievement, as well as interpersonal relationship among students, teachers and school School Issues 4 administrators. These issues, if not properly solved, would cause drastic repercussions to the quality of life that people of color would live. THE ROLE OF TEACHERS IN ADDRESSING RACISM Teachers, as directly relating to the students, play a very important role in recognizing the types of prejudice being applied, initially and specifically, in their classrooms, and eventually, in the entire school as a whole. First and foremost, school administrators must have incorporated and integrated the issues of racism and diversity in culture in their teaching curricula. This would ensure that students are already made aware that teaching and learning programs are not biased and addresses their needs and cultural diversity. In cases where prejudice still remains to exist, there are several measures to assist teachers in identifying areas of concern and instituting the correct measures to prevent discrimination. The study made by the City of Burlington (2003) established strategic courses of action directed to teachers in this regard, to wit: (1) An orientation for teachers should be provided at the start of the school year to make them aware of the policies and procedures for anti-harassment and anti-discrimination. (2) Multi-cultural sensitivity should be part of the teachers’ training. Teachers must recognize that there exists diversity in culture and language. (3) Constant dialogues are to be scheduled to discuss race-related issues. (4) Immediate corrective actions need to be implemented when issues arise. School Issues 5 (5) By being aware of the impending issues, teachers should take a proactive stance by preventing further damage and instead, take initiative ways to address discriminatory issues. Prevention is always a better alternative to pre-empt the need to cure. SOLUTIONS FOR ADDRESSING RACISM The strategic measure of addressing the issues of racism is summed in Parks (1999) study: “by modifying curriculum and instruction and by addressing expressions of racism, schools can help students move beyond tolerance to acceptance, understanding, and celebration of racial and cultural differences”. Modification of the curriculum is an important solution that involves collaboration from the school administrators and the teachers. The curriculum should recognize cultural diversity and appreciate differences in ethnic values. As part of a program change, Parks emphasized that “instructional methods (should) promote cooperation, interaction, and success for all students, regardless of background, language proficiency, social class, or learning style”. Teachers should devise innovative and creative ways to impart cultural diversity through their instructional methods. From the various studies and research written about racism, the following solutions or alternative courses of action, would lessen or prevent the occurrence of prejudice against minorities. These steps were gathered using various discourses appropriately cited after the essay. (1) Accept and be aware of the issues confounding racism in school. (2) With the help of teachers and school administrator, establish and enforce School Issues 6 a system of consequences for violations of racist issues. (3) Respond to racial concerns/complaints/issues immediately. Gather the necessary information to verify the nature of the complaints. As indicated by Dahlman, when a mother complained about a racist issue directed at her child’s teacher, she immediately investigated on the matter and a conference was urgently scheduled. (4) As much as possible, congregation of students as to race, color, language or ethnic background should be discouraged. (5) Encourage sitting plans based on integration, thereby removing barriers imposing segregation upon racial groups. (6) Peer counseling should be seen as an effective support tool to address racial issues. Immediately ask for advice from parents and school administrators for racial matters. Regular dialogues should be encouraged for immediate corrective actions. (7) Involve the local community to addressing pressing issues with collaboration on parents and school administrators. (8) Establish a system of motivation and rewards for individuals who actively prevent or reduce racism in the school. (10) Ensure that there is an equitable balance in professional staffing of school teachers and administrators. Employ appropriate numbers of minorities to support an improved educational system incorporating ethical and moral values surrounding racial concerns. School Issues 7 ASSESSMENT OF SOLUTION TO ADDRESS RACISM As Parks indicted, I also believe that “multicultural education is the key curriculum reform in combating racism”. Since the United States have been home to a wide variety of cultures, an educational system that caters to the diversity should be accommodated and incorporated in the curriculum. The list of alternative courses of action to prevent racism is viable and easily implementable in any school. I think what is important is that issues are readily addressed and corrective actions immediately taken to enforce the attitude that school administrators are serious in addressing this racial gap. The challenging area that I can see regarding the proposed steps in solving or preventing racism is confronting the basic belief or attitude that problems about race can be changed. If even one is reluctant to accept the idea that there are measures to be undertaken to address racial issues, then, however plausible the courses of action are, these would prove to be futile. Another challenging concern is to heal the effects of racism on the population, as a whole. With prejudice and discrimination still seen eminent in all facets of life, it would take a long time to integrate the collective measures and efforts suggested herein. The effective implementation of the suggested steps to prevent racism need the collaborative efforts of all concerned: from the students, parents, teachers, school administrators, local community, national government, and eventually, global organizations, like the United Nations. Anyway, all these participants for change are also the beneficiaries, in the end. School Issues 8 How can I overcome this challenge? Just like my suggestion, the important step starts with me. I encourage others to seek the same steps of preventing racism through my example and appropriate action. By eroding that perceived wall of prejudice that preeminently existed for so many years, I would have made a giant step to erase that attitude of racism. I should take a proactive stance. I have made my research. I know the statistics. I am aware of the dangers of the effects of racism to our own people. I have helped to identify the people who can make the necessary change. I know what I should do now. CONCLUSION Addressing this racial gap could be a tremendous task that is not fundamentally easy to grasp. Since this has been a persistent problem that pervades the society, it is a quandary as to why, despite the availability of courses of action, this issue remains unresolved. Researches have already identified the concepts, problems, nature, causes, and even solutions to racism. The people who are responsible for addressing these issues have already been identified. These are the same people who would definitely benefit from the solutions enumerated herein. As Edwards and Schmidt concluded, “now we have an obligation to take action”. The time is now. References Asberry, T. Courageous Conversations about Race: A Critical Analysis Beswick, R. (1990) ERIC Identifier: ED320196. ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management Eugene OR. Racism in Americas Schools. ERIC Digest Series, Number EA 49. Retrieved on February 17, 2009 from Community Action Priorities for Schools (2003) Burlington Racism Study Circle Program. Retrieved on February 18, 2009 from Dahlman, H. Building a Community Where Everyone Feels Welcome, Validated and Valued. Momentum; Feb/Mar 2008; 39, 1; ProQuest Education Journals Pg 8 Edwards, P.A. & Schmidt, P.R. (2006) Critical Race Theory: Recognizing the elephant and taking action. Essay Review. Reading Research Quarterly Parks, S. (1999). Reducing the Effects of Racism in Schools. Understanding Race, Class and Culture. Volume 56 (7). Pages 14 – 18. Retrieved on February 18, 2009 from < http://pdonline.ascd.org/pd_online/embracing/199904el_parks.html> Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved on February 17, 2009 from Read More