'Racism Eliminated in SYDNEY School'

'A reflection on a current educational issue in Sydney relating to culture and identity'

 (Taha, 2013)

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-31/hip-hop-helps-students-overcome-racism-in-australian-schools/4854174

 

As I continuously browse the news for educational content, I have realised that most of the content is based on racism. I immediately turn to these topics as I have been a suspect of racism for nearly 9 years. Although born and raised here like every other ‘ozzy’, I have been attacked for wearing a veil on my head, “nappy head”, “do you have a bomb in there?”, “are you bald?” On the basis of identity and culture, students within schools are faced with various racism issues that do not only negatively affect their self esteem but also interrupt their educational culture and stability.  

Around 85 per cent of Australians believe that racism is a current issue that needs to be resolved. With this, many institutions have brought out various techniques in trying to lower racism acts to ensure that young individuals do not experience a low-self identity. However, Mohamed Taha’s ‘ABC News’ report on tackling racism in schools published on July 2013 questions if enough is being done to address racism and prejudice in Australian schools.
Zalman Kastel argues that “saying no to racism is like saying no to drugs, it’s not enough” (Taha, 2013)

 

The report further consists of the ABC speaking to Jihad Dib, a young principal of Punchbowl Boys High School in South-West Sydney, who turned around the fortunes of the school plagued by violence, gangs and drugs (Taha, 2013).  The school is home to 440 students from 35 different cultural groups (Taha, 2013). This caused students within the school to attack each other and cause chaos.   

 

Exploring the relationship between racism and other issues, such as teen violence, gang behaviour, drop-out and suspension rates, diversity and equity in personnel policies and school administration and poor achievement among students of different cultures is a priority in understanding what strategies to endorse (Parks and Ra, 1999).  Such school problems directly or indirectly reflect past or present racism and may not be meaningfully remedied until racism is addressed (Parks and Ra, 1999).

Mr Dib tells the ABC news it took great effort to bring the school to peace with one another. The first strategy included in building a great sense of family within the school, the concept of ‘were all in this together’, he made sure everyone knew that they are equal to one another (Taha, 2013). A way that helped achieve this is the integration of individuals within different cultures in sport activities, which played a great role in building relationships. Multicultural days were also celebrated to honour each other’s customs and values. Mr Dib brought the 35 different cultures within the school to walk together as one community (Taha, 2013).

This can be taken as a tremendous example to the rest of the Australian schools, to bring peace with the different cultures. As recognizing racism involves acknowledging beliefs, attitudes, and symbols legitimized by those with cultural/political power and socialized in successive generations (Derman-Sparks and Phillips, 1997). By modifying curriculum and instruction and addressing expressions of racism, schools can help students move beyond tolerance to acceptance, understanding, and celebration of racial and cultural differences (Parks and Ra, 1999).

Overall, I believe that schools have an immense effect on controlling wether individual’s will grow to be racist or be suspects of racism. The way schools face and control racism is a major factor in creating a loving multicultural society. Using Mr Jihad, a principle in a Sydney school, as a role model in tackling the highest levels of racism are definitely strategies that I will use in my future teaching career.  

Derman-Sparks, L. and Phillips, C. 1997. Teaching/learning anti-racism. New York: Teachers College Press.

Parks, S. and Ra. 1999. Reducing the Effects of Racism in Schools.. Educational Leadership, 56 (6), pp. 14--18.

Taha, M. 2013. Teachers, pupils on mission to tackle racism in Australian schools. [online] Available at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-31/hip-hop-helps-students-overcome-racism-in-australian-schools/4854174 [Accessed: Sep 2013].