Recommendations about How to Deal with Racism in Australian Schools - Essay Example

Recommendations about how to deal with racism in Australian schools  “Racism is an ideology that gives expression to myths about other racial and ethnic groups that devalues and renders inferior those groups, that reflects and is perpetuated by deeply rooted historical, social, cultural and power inequalities in society” (Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 1998). Racism is a societal problem present in almost all the countries of the world in various forms. Some countries show racism based on skin color, while some show racism based on ethnicity, and in some countries racism is related to divisions in the social classes. Racism is more prevalent in countries that have multicultural societies, showing ethnically divergent populations, like in Australia. Such a divergent social fabric may have resulted from a sudden influx of a large number of immigrants, owing to liberal immigration policies. Recent racial tensions in Australia have sparked a worldwide debate on how to deal with this social evil of racism, in the context of the twenty first century globalised world. Australia, a modern democratic society, has been created by the contributions of various immigrants coming from different parts of the world. It thus reflects the true nature of what is perceived as a multicultural society. “Australia has become and continues to evolve as a society of diverse cultures oriented to a common core of political, social, economic and cultural institutions… “multiculturalism” [in the context of Australia], carries three key implications – heritage culture preservation and survival, inter-cultural engagement and synergies, and capacity to operate as global citizens” (Jakubowicz, 2009, 1). These implications can be best integrated into the modern social fabric, through the values imparted through education while teaching school children. A school, undoubtedly, is the best place to impart education on religious, cultural, gender and social equality; and to train young minds to look beyond all kinds of disparities, and to respect each other’s values and cultures. A positive learning environment will discourage all kind of racism, violence, vandalism, or even bullying, while taking care that each student is given equal attention, and all their problems taken care of. While developing this positive learning atmosphere within a school educational framework, the teacher forms the most important resource which one can effectively use to combat racism. As a teacher, one can function towards curtailing racism in school, in two ways. In the first method he can function as a member of the school authority, and work in co-ordination with other teachers, the governing body members, and also with the parents to ensure that there are no instances of racism within the school, and also outside within the scope of the neighborhood community. For this there must be a framework of positive learning atmosphere within the entire school, where they will be able to Cherish unity in diversity Work towards achieving a safe haven, and promote the well being of self and others. Work as a team and cooperate with others, and at the same time to be just and responsible towards all relationships, be it at school, office, home, or in any other social affiliations. To contribute towards effective implementations of all strategies, that work to create a cohesive and safe atmosphere in the school. As an individual, the teacher will also have to ensure that racism in any form is not tolerated within the school. Since a teacher is in close contact with his students, it is logical that he will notice instances of racisms, if any, quicker than anybody else. So it becomes imperative that the teacher is observant and keeps an eye out for such incidents, taking care not to let off any instances of racism lightly, without taking appropriate measures to curb them. On observing a scenario where a teacher feels that there might be racism associated with it, he must first analyze the entire situation correctly to ensure that there is indeed an angle of racism in the observed incident. Once convinced, all the parties, the victim, the offender and the witnesses present at the time of the incident must be spoken to immediately, so as to get a fresh account of what had actually happened. Once racism is established, the victim must be must be dealt with empathy and safeguarded so that he does not undergo any mental trauma. The offender must be spoken to, and made to feel that he has committed a crime. He has to be made aware of his grave fallacy, and made to feel ashamed. The offender should also be stated, in no uncertain terms, that racism has no place in a multicultural society and such behavior would not be tolerated under any circumstances. He should be made to understand that a community functions, only when all its members cooperate and respect each other’s values and customs. The victim and the offender at a later stage must be assisted in speaking to each other, where they can discuss the whole incident. So the duty of the teacher would be to ensure that, The offender is not allowed to scot-free; and racism is never tolerated. The offender comprehends that what he has done is similar to an act of cardinal sin. The parents of both the parties, the offender and the victim, are contacted, and if necessary all of them made to sit and discuss in a round table meeting. The offender really understands the graveness of the scenario; and does not only pretend to be sorry to get away lightly. If the offender really understands the graveness of his crime, chances are that, he will not repeat the same mistake. To advocate social equality and harmony amongst the various ethnic members of a community a teacher can arrange for certain activities that promote fostering, and creates a feeling of brotherhood, like: Sports activities: this is an activity that promotes harmony, as it includes various members from diverse backgrounds to group together to form a team. Students can be asked to make projects that showcase the advantages and positive sides of diversity; as for example a project on finding recipes from various parts of the world would enable students to appreciate the food from diverse cultures and religions. ‘Buddy programs’, where a senior can buddy his junior, or a good student can buddy a student who shows below average performance in class. This would also help to promote a feeling of kinship and oneness amongst students, and in future would help to remove all negative attributes associated with racism and violence. Celebrate the days that are important for the various minor ethnic members of the society, like celebrating the main festivals of the various religious groups. Integrate the study of various cultures, religions, festivals, food and culinary styles from different parts of the world into the main curriculum of the school syllabus. This would help the students to learn more about other people and their cultures, and they would also learn to respect and value the various traditions followed by people in different parts of the world. Bringing in various well known members from the different ethnic groups present in the society, and inviting them to conduct workshops with the school students on the issue of ‘multiculturism’ and the evils of racism. Within the school framework, the students along with their teachers also form an important part of the entire educational structure. So is essential that the students also make an initiative and take part in the process of dealing with racism. There are many ways in which the students can take an active part in the fight against this social evil: Students can form groups or one can become a member of the local Reconciliation Committee, which would organize various events and social activities to promote harmony. “This might be a locally-based school student committee or a whole-school community committee. Distribute Reconciliation materials generated in the previous10 years and use these to promote Reconciliation in your school” (Countering Racism in schools, 2008, 4). Students should try to form a friend circle that would include children from various cultures, instead of just sticking to people of ‘your own type’. A mix of friends from different cultures would also raise the awareness levels, while also teaching one to be more tolerant and to respect the traditions of people from a different religion, or class, or ethnicity. If a student has a friend belonging to a different religion and culture, he should make it a point to take part in his festivals. It would work both ways, in the sense that, the student from the majority community group would learn new things about the new culture, while the minority family would also get the feeling that all people from the majority community are not racists after all. As a student one should try and watch anti-racism films and videos, which give out a social message. Some of the very good films, or even well known television programs like, To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), Mississippi Burning (1988), Women of the Sun(1981), Fringe Dwellers (1986) or Kinder der Landstrasse (Children of the Open Road), leave a very strong message that is bound to influence young minds. Students should also read books that speak against racism, written by scholars and historians like, John Pilger, Henry Reynolds, Martin Nakata, Jackie Huggins, and Marcia Langton. Famous books that would most certainly leave a mark on the students are, Don’t Take Your Love to Town by Ruby Langford, Maybe Tomorrow by Boori Pryor (1998), Knee by Dee Brown, amongst many others. Such books influence the readers and force them to think over such poignant social issues. Last but not the least; if a student sees an instance of racism within the school grounds, it would be best if he tries not to handle it by himself. The concerned teacher should be intimidated immediately, who would be able to handle this sensitive situation in a far better manner. However, under no condition should a student, on seeing an incident of racism, however casual it may appear, allow the offender to go scot free. References Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. (1998). Race for Business: A Training Resource Package, HREOC, Sydney. Countering Racism in Schools. (2008). Queensland Studies Authority- Guidelines for Indigenous Perspectives. [Internet Article] Accessed at,  http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/approach/indigenous_g005_0802.pdf. Jakubowicz, A. (2009). Cultural Diversity, Cosmopolitan Citizenship & Education: Issues, Options and Implications for Australia. [Internet Article] Accessed at, http://www.aeufederal.org.au/Publications/2009/AJakubowiczpaper.pdf. Read More