How does racism affect students at school:
Racism has a significant impact on young people because they are still growing and learning about the world and how they fit into it. Racialized youth share that:
- They might not get the same chances or resources as others
- They often face or witness unfair discriminatory treatment, including microaggressions, and sometimes don't feel heard when they speak up about it
- They don’t often see themselves represented in pictures, media and school materials
- They want to see more teachers, school leaders, and school staff who are racialize and understand their lived and living experiences of racism
Racism exists and it is a problem. There is no place for racism or discrimination in schools. Racism contributes to a decreased sense of well-being, increased stress, and has an impact on mental health, which can lead to thoughts or attempts of self-harm or suicide. It is essential that all people who participate in B.C.’s education system work together to ensure school communities are anti-racist and non-discriminatory. Everyone deserves to learn in an environment of respect and belonging, and feel a sense of well-being and safety at school.
Microaggressions are seemingly subtle but hurtful actions or comments that can have negative impacts on racialized students, whether intentional or unintentional. At school, examples of microaggressions may include:
- Pronouncing someone’s name incorrectly, even after they’ve corrected you
- Ignoring important holidays or traditions from someone’s religion or culture
- Assuming things about someone because of how they look
- Making negative or judgemental comments about someone’s food or traditions
Individual racism, also known as interpersonal racism, is when someone thinks or acts in racist ways. Individual racism is learned and reinforced by systemic racism. It is based on one’s assumptions, beliefs or behaviours that have been learned and reinforced by systemic racism. Individual racism can be intentional or unintentional. Examples include racial slurs, hate speech, and telling racist jokes.
Systemic racism, also known as institutional racism, is the way our society is set up to support unfair advantages to some groups of people and reinforce disadvantages to other groups of people based on their race, religion, or cultural values. People sometimes uphold systemic racism without realizing it. It’s important to understand the impacts of colonialism and how being part of these systems can be racist. We all have shared responsibilities in combating racism in Canada to create a more inclusive and anti-racist society.
Privilege means having special rights, benefits, or advantages that are provided to some groups of people based on their race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender and other aspect of identity. Privilege benefits some groups of people while actively marginalizing or disadvantaging individuals that do not have the same circumstances.
White privilege means people representing white dominant culture have benefits and face fewer barriers because of the colour of their skin. It doesn’t mean that white people don’t have problems or hardship, but that the colour of their skin does not add to their problems. It is important to recognize that racialized people face more barriers in society than people with white privilege. To make society more equitable for everyone, we need to address systemic racism, and understand and change our policies, culture, and behaviours.
Intersectionality is about how different parts of who we are, like our race, culture, gender, or sexual orientation, impact our experiences. Just like a bicycle wheel, each person is made up of different spokes that combine to make a whole individual. Everyone is unique.
Biases are like shortcuts your brain takes when making assumptions or decisions about people or situations. Biases are based on your experiences, background, and even things you've seen in the media and can affect how you think and act without you even realizing it. They can lead you to unfairly judge or treat people based on factors like their race, gender, or appearance. Everyone has biases, and it's important to recognize them and try to overcome them to treat everyone fairly.
You can make a big difference by having conversations with young people about diversity. Here's how:
Model. Show children how to treat people in respectful ways by being non-judgmental, non-discriminatory and respectful to others. Children often watch and copy the behaviour of adults in their lives.
- Share stories. Read books together that reflect cultural diversity and how being kind and open is important
- Talk with children. Start conversations about racism and keep them going. Have open and respectful conversations where children share about their experiences at school or in the community or ask questions about cultures and traditions that are different than theirs. It's important to listen and help them understand the world around them
Human Rights-Discrimination Based on Gender, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity/Expression
All people have the right to be free from discrimination based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. This right is protected by Article 2 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Acts, and the B.C. Human Rights Code.
The B.C. Human Rights Code protects B.C. students from discrimination based on Indigenous identity, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age.
Every school in B.C. should be a place where every student feels welcome, safe and included.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/erase/diversity-and-inclusion/anti-racism#students
