Take action against racism
Take action against racism with support and resources from Narragunnawali to build inclusive school and community environments for all students.
Summary
Information and support for educators, students and families regarding teaching anti-racism.
About the resource
Australia is a vibrant, multicultural country. Almost half of the population was born overseas or has a parent who was born overseas. One in five Australians speak a language other than English at home. Approximately 3% of the population identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Research shows that 86% of Australians believe that multiculturalism is a positive factor in maintaining social cohesion. While cultural diversity a celebrated part of Australia’s national identity, the unfortunate reality is that many individuals and communities in Australia experience prejudice, discrimination and racism on a regular basis.
Racism experiences
The experience of racism continues to be very real for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in particular. There is strong and consistent evidence that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including children, experience racism, prejudice and discrimination at levels that are higher than for most, if not all, other groups in Australia.
The 2018 Australian Reconciliation Barometer found that 33% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced at least one form of verbal racial abuse in the past 6 months, 51% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people believe that Australia is a racist country, and 49% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people consider racial and cultural differences as the biggest cause of social divisions in Australia.
Improving race relations
For this reason, improving race relations is central to reconciliation . Race relations is one of the five integral and interrelated dimensions of reconciliation in Australia . That is, the race relations dimension calls for all Australians to understand and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous cultures, rights and experiences, which results in stronger relationships based on trust and respect and that are free of racism.
The role of schools and early learning services
Schools and early learning services play a major role in influencing the formation of students’ and children’s attitudes and world views, as well as those of the wider communities. Educating communities can therefore counter racist attitudes and their negative effects by assisting students to develop an understanding and respect for cultural differences. Having conversations with students and children about racism is important, but perhaps equally important, anti-racism needs to be actively and holistically lived and modelled every day.
Link to website
Narragunnawali - Take Action Against Racism.
The views expressed by organisations and in resources in this hub do not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Human Rights Commission or There's nothing casual about racism campaign supporters and partners.
