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Lets talk about racism
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Hello, primary school student!
This booklet is made for you so you can learn about what racism is and what you can do to help.
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So ...
... What is racism, excactly?
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Racism is belief that some races are better than others. It is expressed through attitudes, beliefs, behaviours, norms and practices and may be either intentional or unintentional.
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Sadly, racism is happening everyday, everywhere.
“Those who don’t experience racism themselves, either don’t recognise it or ignores it and don’t understand the serious damage racism has.”
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Who is responsible for doing something about racism?
Racism is everyone’s problem. Not just the government’s problem, nor just the schools or the parents.
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“There’s only one race on the face of the earth and we’re all members that race, the human race. But we have separated people into races so that some of us can see ourselves as superior to the others.
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... It’s time to get over this business. There’s no gene for bigotry, you’re not born a bigot, you have to learn to be a bigot. Anything you learn you can unlearn.” Jane Elliot , Anti Racism Activist
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Everyday,
1 in 5
school students experience racism
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Prejudice can begin as early as
3-6 years old
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But ...
... There’s hope.
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Here are four steps to how we’re going to erase racism together
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One Acknowledge it!
The first step is to acknowledge it, to say something, to take a stand against racism. When we start taking action, we will be able to change our country for the better.
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Two Talk about it!
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...With everyone. Classmates, family, friends and teachers. We must communicate to understand our differences. This will help removing a possible xenophobia.
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Three Speak up!
This is very important. Get courage to speak up – Discover ways you can safely speak up against racism.
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Four Keep talking!
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Keep the conversation going – One of the best ways to make casual racism more visible is to talk openly about it. We encourage you to share your experiences at school, with parent or friends. By speaking up together, we can work towards making casual racism unacceptable in our everyday lives.
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“I was cooking with my 3-year-old, and we used the last white egg in the carton, and then took out another carton of eggs, this time brown eggs. My son noted that the eggs were different in color. ‘Yes,’ I said, as we cracked both
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eggs open, 'But look — they are the same inside. Just like people, they come in different shades, but they are the same on the inside.� Dr. Beverly Tatum, Author and president of Spelman College
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I’ve learned that ...
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... Racism is belief that some races are superior to others. A racist expresses racism through behaviours, attitudes and norms. ... A person that experiences racism may experience reduced levels of self-confidence, feelings of insecurity, and feel like they don’t belong in the community. ... It’s important to acknowledge that it is happening, and can accure everywhere. For example; school, work, the internet and on the bus.
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... No one is born racist, because racists is thought to be racists. (But what you can learn you can always unlearn!) ... I should choose my friends based on their personality, never the colour of the skin. “We’re different like eggs, but all the same on the inside.” ... Everyone should try to understand our differences and respect all races, cultures and religions.
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... The solution to racism is to: 1. acknowledge, 2. stand up if you hear or see racism, 3. talk about it, and 4. keep the conversation going! ... If you experience or witness racism; it’s highly important to speak up! Tell your teacher and parent about it so that they can help. By speaking up you are apart of making a change and we are one step closer to erase racism.
... We are all part of the same colour pallette, just in different shades. There’s exiting only one race; the human race that we all are apart of.
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