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RACISM
AND INDIVIDUALS
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What if I'm alone and need help to
deal with racial situations? This section deals with how
racism affects you and what you can do about it. In most
cases, no one has ever taught us how to stand up for
ourselves and others in racial situations. As a result,
it is easy to feel alone, uncomfortable, hurt, powerless,
or ashamed of who you are. The first step to fighting
racism on an individual basis is being comfortable enough
with who you are to be able to stand up for yourself.
Equip yourself and those around you with the knowledge of
how to deal with problems before you are confronted. You
can make a difference. Racism is not a problem that is
too big to fight. Individuals make the
difference.
Personal Story #1
(real stories
from real youth, writers
are kept anonymous)
When I was younger I use to be
terrified of going to school. Being at school wasn't what
scared me the most, it was getting there. I had always
felt odd on our school bus because I was clearly the
minority on the bus, and even at school. The kids always
teased me and hit me as I sat on the bus totally
helpless. Many of the people who were against me didn't
even know me. So I just sat there while everyone stared
and laughed. I still feel uncomfortable and unsure of
myself, and fear that people will not accept me for who I
am. I cried a lot. Nobody did anything when they saw it
happen. They just laughed along. Even the adults did
nothing. They thought it was normal for children to act
this way!
The Myths and Realities of racial jokes and slurs
Personal Story #2
" A lot of people in my school use racial jokes and slurs. "
Myth #1 Racial jokes are just meant to be funny and no real harm is done.
Reality: Racial jokes or slurs are never positive; they focus on negative
attributes and differences between groups.
Myth #2 Nobody is hurt by racial jokes.
Reality: We all have some hidden area of vulnerability which could cause
pain or embarrassment if exposed
Myth #3 If it bothered them they should say something.
Reality: Just because they don't speak up does not mean that it doesn't hurt.
Often people are reluctant to speak up because they don't want to rock the boat.
Myth #4 How can they mind when I have often heard them tell the same jokes
to each other?
Reality: There is difference between laughing or making fun of yourself and having others
laugh at your expense.
Myth #5 It's a free country what are you going to do, ban humor?
Reality: Freedom of speech doesn't give you the right to offend others. Everyone has the
right to a harassment-free environment.
Individual
Action
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What do I do when I hear racist or ethnic jokes?
1."BY OMISSION YOU GIVE PERMISSION." If you do not speak up for yourself
and others, the joke tellers will perceive it as permission to continue with their actions.
2. Tell the joke teller you do not appreciate the joke/comment. eg. "I find your comment
offensive."
3. Explain the difference between what they intended with the joke and how others
may perceive it.
4. Discourage the joke teller by letting him/her know that the racial joke hurts people,
make them feel powerless, insulted and degraded. It creates a climate which
leads to fighting and mistrust and to other forms of discriminatory behaviours.
5. If it becomes a serious problem, talk to someone you trust (friend, teacher/counsellor).
If the comment is from the teacher,
tell them calmly that "I find your comment offensive.
Please stop." This allows the teacher to correct the
mistake. If the teacher does not stop, go to the front
office and sit until someone asks why you are there.
Explain the situation. This is a non-confrontational way
to address the problem because no one enjoys being backed
into a corner.
*Remember, even if the racist
comment is not about you, it is wrong. Stand up for
others too! Empowering others empowers yourself!
Interracial
Dating/Friendships
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Personal Story #3:
I was at an International Music
Camp and I started to "go out " with someone. I thought
she was the perfect girl. We were soon termed as the
"best couple" at camp, and we tried to see as much of
each other as we could everyday. Then, on the last day of
camp, she asked if I wanted to go for a walk, and I said,
"Sure." During the walk, she told me that she had been
thinking a lot lately. Then she said (and I still
remember), "If I tell people at home that I went out with
a Muslim, they'll think that I'm a devil worshiper." I
nearly died! Does this sort of thing happen in the 90s?
That morning I realized that it still does.
The other people at the camp who
knew about us were both shocked and disgusted. They
couldn't believe that such a thing could happen in 1994.
I had never been so discriminated against like that
before.
1. Have you or anyone you know ever
been in such a situation?
2. If so, what happened?
3. How did this make you
feel?
4. Would you or any of your friends
hang out with someone of a different race or culture? Why
or why not?
How to deal with disapproval from
friends/parents :
1. Make sure to keep calm and
non-confrontational.
2. Explain
Students
Commission recommendations on Improving Race
Relations
These recommendations was taken
from the 1992 and 1993 reports created by the youth.
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Start a program
- Start an Ethno-cultural/Race
relations committee in your community or
school.
- Encourage your teacher to use
anti-racism messages in their lessons.
- Identify barriers to equality in
your school environment and find way to eliminate
them .
(Remember that not all changes are loud and immediate and not all people will welcome
change, but don't be discouraged. Things will happen.)
Curriculum fit
Tell the teacher that all students
have a right for a racism free education, therefore a policy
should be enforced for zero tolerance for racial jokes/slurs
in the classroom and school environment. If they incorporate
these policies within their lesson plans, the overall school
environment will improve. Students who were afraid to speak
out because of racial slurs, will feel more confident to
participate in classroom work and can co-operation will
improve.
Resources available:
If you have any sort of
anti-racism/multicultural committee, peer mediation or any
other strong student action group, approach them with your
issue.
Find a teacher that you like and
trust, and that is enthusiastic about making an impact.
Unite and get something going.
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