Anti-racism for Youth
Combatting Racism in Schools
To combat racism in schools, everyone has a role: teachers, parents and students. Racism inflicts the lives of many students of colour, impeding their ability to have safe and respectful learning environments. Youth can learn how to identify racism and engage in antiracist behaviours to support each other better and foster a more inclusive and communally oriented future generation.
Identify the various forms of racism in schools
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Peer-to-peer bullying involves discriminatory language and social exclusion of students due to their presumed non-white background/ethnicity.
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Racially derogatory or non-representative course material. When course materials include racial slurs and caricature representations of people of colour (i.e., the presence of the N-word). Also, when course material lacks positive representations of people of colour or includes diverse histories (i.e., Canadian history lesson without acknowledging Indigenous history).
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Teachers who treat students of colour differently or discriminatorily stigmatizing or criminalizing their behaviours, having low expectations for academic success or assume that students of colour need remedial support.
Get Inspired
Motivate students to be active agents of change
It is important to normalize the topics of race and racism for the next generation of thinkers. Consider these steps to help youth understand and participate in anti-racism efforts.
Teach the historical roots of racism
In North America, racism has roots in european colonialism, racial science, the transatlantic slave trade, settler colonialism, and anti-immigrant nationalism. History helps youth understand the importance behind the anti-racism movement and how racism is present in everyday life.
Engage in a group discussion
Have students write out a list of ways that they are similar and engage in group discussions about the commonalities beyond race and ethnicity.
Make anti-racism relatable
The topic of racism can be complex and is best presented in simplified terms. Discuss actionable behaviours and anti-racism as a movement to be kinder, forgiving and understanding.
Remind youth of their power
Provide students with examples of youth actively combatting racism and other social inequalities to reinforce their agency in affecting change.
Reinforce the message with a visual campaign
Visual products help youth engage with the messaging in a fun and creative way. Getting the students involved in art class or a formal campaign will connect them with a common cause.
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Submit the contact form for more information on anti-racism for youth and the 'being nice is cool' campaign.