Belittling someone for the colour of their skin, or making comments about one's background or simply discriminating one based on whether they come from and what they look like is known as racism.
Lentin and Titley (2011) asserts that "one of the certainties, after multiculturalism, is that racism no longer exists" and defines racism as "associated with the biological and the genetic, and most commonly with the outward signifier of skin colour."
Racism no longer exists? I'm going to have to disagree with that.
From personal experiences, I have been faced with racial comments whether it was during school or just out and about and even in an article published in the Sydney Morning Herald about Eddie McGuire's comment on Adam Goodes that he should promote the musical King Kong, it is evident that racism definitely still exists.
Eddie McGuire apologised and made an excuse that it was a 'slip of the tongue.' Some remarks are intentional - in order to harm somebody and some like Eddie's - slip of the tongue which namely stems from ignorance or it's just plain funny to them.
Nevertheless, all must stop.
Lentin and Titley (2011) comment that "racism persists because there has been no serious effort made to challenge the interconnections between the idea of race and the institutions and structures of the modern nation-state." I agree with this. The racism that exists basically thrives on ignorance (other than those who wish to intentionally harm).
Basically in other words, cultural ignorance.
"Racism has always been theorised in relation to, and on the basis of, the perceived behavioural and cultural characteristics of human groups." (Lentin & Titley, 2011, pg.69)
A huge factor in 'combating' this cultural ignorance is through our educational system which can definitely do more. "Many reports, including the recent Behrendt review of Aboriginal higher education, have highlighted the role that universities should play in responding to the need for greater cultural competence." (Houston, 2013)
This needs to be dealt with at all levels of education, though idealistically, as early as possible. Since it's better to teach children what racism is and have them realise what an important issue it is rather than trying to clean up the mess it might bring later on which is shown in the case of Eddie McGuire who now has to go through the AFL's racial vilification counselling program. Additionally, it does need to be addressed in university as it teachers future teachers who will later be major influences in a student's learning and who might produce the next prime minster or business leaders.
Subsequently, it can ensure or try to ensure that the next generation won't display such cultural ignorance or continue to harm others based on one's race.
But for now, changes have to be made to our educational system.
References
Lentin, A., & Titley, G. (2012, April). The crisis of ‘multiculturalism’ in Europe: Mediated minarets, intolerable subjects. European Journal of Cultural Studies, 15(2), 48-84.
Houston, S. (2013, May 31). Education is the key to stamping out racism. Sydney Morning Herald, Retrieved from http://www.smh.com.au/comment/education-is-the-key-to-stamping-out-racism-20130530-2nep5.html.
Great job Shirley. I completely agree with your opinion on racism and that it in fact still exists. I cannot personally say I've experienced racism like you have, however I have witnessed it first hand and am very motivated to see a change in this. Changes do need to be made, which I feel they should start to be rid the 'hidden curriculum' in schools. Too many students are being stereotyped due to their race and teachers are placing them in homogenous groups which are henceforth having a negative effect on their academic potential. I do think that students need to be taught what racism is, but I would more advocate that students be educated on the effects racism has on individuals. Yes, it's important to understand what racism is, but will this stop it? I feel if they can place themselves in other people's shoes and have knowledge and maybe even witness some case studies they can therefore see the damage they are doing. Awesome blog, thanks, enjoyed reading it :)
ReplyDelete"If white skin is represented as "good" and then dark skin is associated with "inferior" it's quite obvious why students feel segregated and discriminated in the Australian education system". (Williams 1999)
reference-
6. Williams, M. (1999), Racism: A Personal Perspective, unpublished paper, Aboriginal Education Unit, South Australian Department of Education, Training and Employment, Adelaide