Anti-Racism for Youth

Combatting Racism in Schools

Creating inclusive schools is a shared responsibility for teachers, parents, and students. By empowering youth to recognize and address racism, we foster respect, understanding, and connection. Together, we can inspire a supportive and inclusive future where every student thrives in a safe and welcoming environment.

Identify the various forms of racism in schools

Peer-to-peer bullying involves discriminatory language and social exclusion of students due to their presumed non-white background/ethnicity.
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).
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

Highlight the youth in the communityand schools and are actively

Haana Edenshaw

For teen activist Haana Edenshaw, tackling climate change is “the most important fight of our generation.” Why? Well, if we don’t win, the 17-year-old told CBC Kids News, “the future won't be safe for future generations.”

Marley Dias

Marley Dias, activist, author, and NEA’s Read Across America Ambassador speaks about why we need to ensure there are more books where kids see themselves as protagonists in their own stories.

Mina Fedor

Mina Fedor, a middle school student and activist, founded AAPI Youth Rising to amplify the voices of AAPI youth and fight anti-Asian racism and xenophobia.

Nyeeam Hudson

Nyeeam Hudson has captured global and national celebrity attention and audiences. “The International Motivational Speaker” is one of “12 kids who rocked the world in 2016,” according to the Huffington Post, and Forbes...

Sophie Cruz

Sophie Cruz, winner of the Define American Award for Activist of the Year, speaks with her undocumented mother and father, and citizen sister, at the Women’s March on Washington.

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

Providing historical context helps young people understand the significance of the anti-racism movement and recognize how racism is woven into everyday life.

Engage in a group discussion

Have students create a list of ways they are similar and engage in group discussions about commonalities beyond race and ethnicity.

Make anti-racism relatable

Simplify the complex language of racism by discussing actionable behaviours and promoting anti-racism as a movement that emphasizes kindness, forgiveness, and understanding.

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Remind youth of their power

To reinforce students' agency in affecting change, provide examples of youth actively combatting racism and other social inequalities.

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.