EQUITY: RACISM 1

Equity for Racism

Mason B. Cox

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Abstract

In this paper, I will be discussing what examples of racism may be encountered within our

schools. Also I will be describing what racism is, how it affects students and what ways we, as

teachers, can take action to take in order to give students knowledge of racism and how we can

help those being discriminated.

Equity: Racism

Racism is the belief that all members of a particular race possess characteristics or

abilities specific to that race. That is subjecting a person, not only by his/her race, but also the

stereotype of ones race. This is judgement and discrimination also to religious beliefs, values

and culture.

Examples of racism

As teachers, we need to know what to look for when confronting issues regarding racism. Such

as:

making fun of clothes, food or physical appearance of people from different cultures

telling jokes directed against people from particular groups

using insulting language about particular cultural groups

making fun of peoples accents or names

refusing to work or play with or sit next to other people who are from a different culture or

speak a different language

writing graffiti against people from particular cultural backgrounds

stereotyping people from different cultural or linguistic groups

telling people to go back where they came from

not including students from particular backgrounds in class activities

favouring students from some backgrounds more than others

not helping students from some backgrounds as much as others

expecting students from some cultural or linguistic groups to do better or worse than others in

schoolwork
EQUITY: RACISM 4

not respecting peoples different religious beliefs

bullying students from different cultural and linguistic groups

assaulting people from different cultural backgrounds.

What harm can racism cause?

Racism occurs in explicit forms such as name-calling, teasing, exclusion, verbal abuse

and bullying. It is also commonly and indirectly presented through prejudiced attitudes, lack of

recognition of cultural diversity and culturally biased practices.

It has been acknowledged racism can have a profound effect on students, teachers and

generally affects the overall school atmosphere.

Students that have experienced racism could have many consequences towards their

education as well. These students could become scared and stop attending class in order to stay

away from the confrontation. Racism can cause them to be depressed, question their own beliefs

and culture, as well as becoming confused with their own identity.

For the school, as a whole, racism is one of the biggest subjects starting arguments and

fights with one another. It is one of the causes for a small social group, especially a group with

ones own race. Racism can also cause conflicts between staff and students, as well as the

decrease of confidence between parents and the school and education system.

How can we eliminate racism?

To be able to eliminate racism within the school. We need to be able to teach the students

about the different cultures and beliefs. Also, we need to be able to confront arguments

regarding the subject.

There are a few ways that we could be able to attack this subject within our schools.

Creating a Safe Atmosphere at School

Be Educational

In order to at least start trying to eliminate the problem, at hand, we must be able to know

what exactly it is we are dealing with. Just as every subject one may teach, he/she must also

know how to stay calm and have patience when teaching subject.

Report Offenses

If experiencing prejudice, racism and/or discrimination, document it and bring it up to an

authority such as a teacher, security, school dean or principal. This is very important to show

that these actions dont happen in secret. This also shows the students that these actions and

behavior is not tolerable.

Start a diverse organization

Starting a club or a group for students that are diverse in your school can unite those who

feel different and those who actively want to support inclusion and diversity. This can also give

students the opportunity to learn of the different beliefs and cultures.

This group can be just a get away from the school and have the club just be a safe place

for discussions regarding peoples misunderstanding effects in their life, experience of racism

and how to respond to it correctly.

Ask your school to teach about racism

Teaching is important in order for all students to learn what racism is, how it hurts and

how to not tolerate it. In order to do this properly, ask your teachers and principal to include

units on racism built into the curriculum.

This would be a great use if the class is a multicultural classroom, as well as studies in

the field of history, geography, or in a foreign language class.

Celebrate multicultural history at school

This could be fun events to celebrate different cultural holidays while learning history,

customs and cultures. Students would be able to learn the meaning behind why other cultures

may believe in something that they are not familiar with.

Its also important to learn the devastating events in the history of different cultures, that

way students dont have misunderstanding of historical events.

Have your school create a statement on inclusiveness and a zero-tolerance policy

If your school doesnt have these in their code of conduct or policies, strongly encourage

the teachers and administration to adopt these policies at school. Its important for schools to

create clear guidelines in regard to race and treatment of people on the school campus.

Inclusion can mean that all students have access to education and receive support and that

all school members feel safe from marginalization and harassment.

Zero-tolerance policies often include banning weapons and drugs, but can also include

behaviors that include racist remarks and hate crimes based on race. Schools can more

effectively implement zero-tolerance policies by creating higher stakes, such as pairing with

juvenile justice or juvenile detention centers.

We, as teachers, must know that racism is not something that people are born with.

Students that pick up this disease, have learned it from friends or family. So, no matter what,

we must be calm and patient in order to stop racism within our classrooms within time.
EQUITY: RACISM 7

References

Casey, J. B. (2016). Fight Racism in Your School. Retrieved December 02, 2016, from

http://www.wikihow.com/Fight-Racism-in-Your-School

Please Login OR Register first to make recursive donation. (n.d.). Retrieved December 02, 2016,

from http://alltogethernow.org.au/news/racism-disrupts-student-education/

Racism in Schools. (2015, December 22). Retrieved December 2, 2016, from

https://nobullying.com/racism-in-schools/

Racism in Schools. (2015, December 22). Retrieved December 2, 2016, from

https://nobullying.com/racism-in-schools/