How to Fight Racism in Schools

Racism can become a serious problem in schools. As a student, you will probably have to deal with people who often make heartbreaking comments about your race or those of your friends. These comments are painful, even if they are not true. However, you don’t have to accept them as part of your life. By standing up and standing with everyone, you can make a difference in your school.

Table of Contents

Reacting to Racist Comments

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/bc/Act-Around-Girls-Step-10.jpg/v4-728px-Act-Around-Girls-Step-10. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/bc/Act-Around-Girls-Step-10.jpg/v4-728px-Act-Around-Girls-Step- 10.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Stand up and protect yourself . Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself (or protect a friend or even a stranger) when you’re experiencing bullying around racism. Bullying related to racism will often continue because the bully is aware that the victim will not defend himself or fight back. ^{[1] X Research Source} Put an end to this by speaking up!

You don’t have to be cruel, you just have to show them that you won’t allow this criticism to continue. You might say, “Why would you say such things?” or “What you say is really bad.”
If someone being bullied sees you standing up for yourself, you can inspire them to do the same.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e5/Not-Be-Intimated-by-Other-Girls-Step-20.jpg/v4-728px-Not-Be- Intimidated-by-Other-Girls-Step-20.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e5/Not-Be-Intimated-by-Other-Girls- Step-20.jpg/v4-728px-Not-Be-Intimidated-by-Other-Girls-Step-20.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Use knowledge to counterattack. When someone else makes racist comments about you, be the one to have the final say and make it right. Responding with knowledge can feel powerful and help you use information as your power. ^{[2] X Research Sources} If others make discriminatory comments, you should respond with facts, facts, or statistics that can help you educate those less likely to perceive the impact. the effect their words have on others.

Some criticisms are made out of ignorance, but words can hurt. You might say, “When you look down on indigenous people, you are making the mistake of thinking they are inferior to you”.
You can also respond with something like, “When you say that Asians are usually only good at math, you’re waving your chopsticks around, and that’s not fair to them.”

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/c/c5/Communicate-Effectively-Step-5.jpg/v4-728px-Communicate-Effectively-Step-5.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/c5/Communicate-Effectively-Step-5.jpg/v4-728px-Communicate-Effectively-Step-5.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Respond with humor. ^{[3] X Research Source} While you might hate the stigmatizing statement, you should approach the situation in a lighter but to-the-point manner. Humor is a great way to present a problem in a more casual way, but still emphasize that the statement is inappropriate.

If someone makes fun of the immigrant accent, say, “Hey, do you include your second or third language?”

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/fa/Deal-With-Being-Hated-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Deal-With- Being-Hated-Step-5-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/fa/Deal-With-Being-Hated-Step-5- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Deal-With-Being-Hated-Step-5-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Deal with personal attacks. A personal attack is a relatively minor act, but it is significantly divisive and can have a profound effect on how others feel. ^{[4] X Source of Research} Although this behavior is not as loud as the shouting from across the hall, it is equally hurtful. Be aware of the times when you or your friends engage in any personal attacks related to race, and remember to speak up. Usually, personal attacks aren’t meant to hurt, but they can have a negative effect.

Personal aggression can be as simple as not wanting to touch someone of another race.
If you see someone “making a bad face” in front of someone of a different race, you might say, “What’s that? Just because that person is from a different ethnicity doesn’t mean they are different.”
If you raise the question of someone’s “true” background, this is a form of personal attack. If you are curious to know about someone else’s family lineage, say, “I want to know if you have inherited certain customs and want to learn about your ancestors”.

Creating a Safe Environment in Schools

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/6/60/Motivate-Teens-Toward-Better-Grades-Step-3.jpg/v4-728px-Motivate-Teens-Toward- Better-Grades-Step-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/60/Motivate-Teens-Toward-Better-Grades-Step-3.jpg/ v4-728px-Motivate-Teens-Toward-Better-Grades-Step-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:” <div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Report guilt. If you are experiencing prejudice, racism, or discrimination, document the evidence and present it to an authorized person (such as a teacher, dean or principal). or police). ^{[5] X Source of Research} This is a necessary measure to ensure that this behavior does not happen in secret, but that everyone is aware of it and taking action. You need to let others know that this type of action is inappropriate and will not be tolerated.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/8f/Get-Along-with-People-Who-You-Don%27t-Like-Step-13.jpg/v4- 728px-Get-Along-with-People-Who-You-Don%27t-Like-Step-13.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/8f/ Get-Along-with-People-Who-You-Don%27t-Like-Step-13.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Along-with-People-Who-You-Don%27t-Like-Step-13. jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Join (or start) a diverse organization. You may not be the only one in school who feels that others look down on you because of your race. You may be the only Korean on campus, but there will be quite a few other students from ethnic minorities like Laos, Croatia, or Ecuador. You can set up a club or organization specifically for students of different ethnicities in your school. Unite people who feel they are different (and even those who want to support inclusion and diversity) by joining people with similar experiences in similar contexts, and you can start form the identity of the group. ^{[6] X Research Source}

You can talk about the impact that misunderstandings have had on your life, your experience of racism, and your reaction to it.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/c/c6/Teach-About-African-American-History-Step-7-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Teach- About-African-American-History-Step-7-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/c6/Teach-About-African-American- History-Step-7-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Teach-About-African-American-History-Step-7-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Ask the school to educate about the issue of racism. Education about racism in schools is important because it helps every student learn more about the issue, how it hurts others, and how to be intolerant of it. You can ask the teacher or even the school principal to add a few lessons about racism to the curriculum; There are quite a few books and lectures on the subject. ^{[7] X Trusted Source Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Go to source}

You can also ask your teacher for permission to include more books on a variety of topics.

Let’s Take Action Together

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/01/Practice-Non-Attachment-Step-13.jpg/v4-728px-Practice-Non-Attachment-Step-13. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/01/Practice-Non-Attachment-Step-13.jpg/v4-728px-Practice-Non-Attachment-Step- 13.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Discuss race. Sometimes, racism won’t go away by avoiding discussing it. Of course, the process can be quite frustrating, but it’s a good idea to bring your friends and classmates together to form an honest discussion about racism, discussing how it looks and feels, and the impact it has on your school. Talking about this issue will help you to be more understanding and tolerant. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Place some signs around the school and announce a group discussion some afternoon after school. Encourage others to talk about their experiences, fears, prejudices, or prejudices. Create a safe and thoughtful space where there won’t be any silly questions.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/1d/Stop-Your-Child-From-Masturbating-in-Public-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4- 728px-Stop-Your-Child-From-Masturbating-in-Public-Step-9-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/1d/ Stop-Your-Child-From-Mastubating-in-Public-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Stop-Your-Child-From-Masturbating-in-Public-Step-9-Version-2. jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Become an ally. Perhaps your friend is from another country and you hate to see other people treat this friend unfairly. “But I’m not a minority group, what can I do?!”. You can become their ally. Use your position in the dominant group to reach the unknown or make a heartbreaking comment. Being an ally means using your position to help others. ^{[11] X Research Source}

If someone criticizes your friend, stand up for him immediately and say, “What you say is inappropriate; It shows racism.”

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/00/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Summer-Vacation-%28for-Teens%29-Step-11-Version -2.jpg/v4-728px-Make-the-Most-of-Your-Summer-Vacation-%28for-Teens%29-Step-11-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https:// www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/00/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Summer-Vacation-%28for-Teens%29-Step-11-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Make -the-Most-of-Your-Summer-Vacation-%28for-Teens%29-Step-11-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,” bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Have international friendship. ^{[12] X Research Resources} You can form a club on campus to encourage people to make friends with students from other countries. More and more schools are participating in this type of program. You should ask teachers and school leaders to help you connect with students from other countries.

Learning about the lifestyle, food, leisure activities, and where friends of the same age live can be quite interesting. Although, there will be some completely different elements, they also possess pretty much the same thing as you.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/04/Attend-Family-Gatherings-When-You-Are-Autistic-Step-30.jpg/v4-728px-Attend- Family-Gatherings-When-You-Are-Autistic-Step-30.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/04/Attend-Family-Gatherings-When- You-Are-Autistic-Step-30.jpg/v4-728px-Attend-Family-Gatherings-When-You-Are-Autistic-Step-30.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Educate yourself. Immerse yourself in every element that celebrates cultural diversity. Often, racism stems from misunderstanding or not taking the time to learn. Therefore, you should find out more information about Kwanzaa, Ramadan, and Chinese New Year holidays. Read books and watch movies about the lives of children in other countries. Is your new schoolmate from Peru? Go and talk to that person. Ask the person questions about their culture and about the difference between the two. Meet as many people from as many different places as possible.

Even if their traditions are quite different from yours, you should show respect. If someone shares their customs, remember to restrain yourself from saying “Wow!” or “That’s weird.” You should remember that differences are completely normal.

Advice

Telling and stopping the bully are two different things.
Don’t just ignore criticism, take action and inform an adult you trust.

Steps

Reacting to Racist Comments

Creating a Safe Environment in Schools

Let’s Take Action Together

Advice

Related Posts