Racism? Over? Yeah right.

The Plaza was full of chatty, pre-pubescent teenagers who were either eating their lunch, or just talking. Li Xien was sitting with her friends, nibbling away at her wrap while laughing at her friends jokes. Everyone liked her, but she never really had a close best friend, she was always on the outskirts of her friendship groups. But she didn’t mind.

She sat there listening while her friends talked about some recent test. “It was so difficult!” exclaimed Amelia - the only person who was part of this friend group who Li Xien didn’t know the last name to. “I know right?! I didn’t get any challenge, and I am pretty sure just from overhearing Akhil that I got question 12 and 13 wrong.” sighed Jennifer. “Hey, what did you get Li Xien? You got your test back right?” asked James. “Yeah! I um got a...um ...a 4”. She mumbled. “What?! Your Asian, how did you get a 4?” gasped James sarcastically. Li Xien nervously laughed, trying to get off the topic. “Hey look! When you laugh you can’t see you eyes! Its like you close them! Can you still see?” Laughed Amelia. “Yeah, I can still see...Thats a little bit racist you know...” uttered Li Xien. “Oh calm down! She is just joking! God, it’s not like we are having a world wide controversial issue here!” giggled Jennifer. “God, Li Xien - to stunned by the fact that her so called “friends” didn’t realise how racist they were being.

You may think that we are in the ‘golden age’ and that segregation is over, but racism is still a big part of modern day society. “‘Today we remember Rosa Parks’ bold stand and her role in fighting to end racism.’

This advances the idea that racism is a relic of the past. It isn’t. And over the last few days, there have been several stories that reaffirm the extent to which racial bias—and anti-black racism in particular—are real things that happen to real people.” - The daily beast.The daily beast (who is commenting on the twitter user “@FeministaJones” tweet) is absolutely right. Although there is not specific seatings for darker skin coloured human beings on busses, and isn’t different water fountains for them, doesn’t mean that racism and segregation is a ‘relic of the past’. In Fact, there has been recent incidents such as the Michael Brown shooting and only a few weeks ago during the AFL (Australian Football League) grand finals, snide remarks such as “Black dog” was directed to a specific -darker skin coloured- man named Adam Goodes.

You may wonder if other people have experienced this. They have.
Over 80% of people who were asked if they have personally experienced racism (even if it was supposed to be a joke) said yes. Some people have even experienced backhanded compliments! “For an indian girl, you are pretty!” is one of the comments that Akanksha, a grade 8 student from UWCSEA has experienced. “You’re Asian, why aren’t you smart?!” is another common remark that is stated.

“Its not over, its just not. I think that people pretend its over so that they don’t have to deal with the pressure of having to fix the issue.” Explains Lizzie, a girl who has also personally experienced racism, and racist comments.

In the end, people need to realise that not all acts of racism are big, controversial issues. So many people can fall victim to it from their peers/friends, who probably think they are only having a laugh. People need to stop and think about their actions before they do them, or in this case, say them. People need to know that racism isn’t just a bad memory from the past, it is here, it is now. What are you going to do about that?

Written by: Patrick

Racism: Does It Happen in Schools?

A few months ago, in a local school in the United States, a student was restricted to join a student run activity because of his colour and was falsely accused of forcing the students to give him money.

Racism is when a person is treated less favorably and is not treated equally because of their colour or race. Racism has been a global issue for ages but now has started widening in schools as well. According to Mr. Raisdana, an English teacher who taught in a school where racism was very common, “The main source of Racism is the lack of education and money”

When someone with a dark colour comes across white people with more money and higher standards, the richer starts insulting the poor to protect their pride and identity. Why is racism a problem? According to itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au, a Australian human rights campaign, A study of over 800 Australian secondary school students found that racism had huge mental health impacts on young people who experience it, including:

• ongoing feelings of sadness, anger, depression and being left out 
• headaches, increased heart rate, sweating, trembling and muscle tension 
• a constant fear of being verbally or physically attacked 
• not wanting to go to school 
• having little or no trust in anybody apart from family. 

These impacts can reduce people’s ability to work or study, and to achieve their future goals.

Racism also affects people’s general well being when they are denied equal access to jobs, services and education.

How to stop bullying? According to youngscot.org, these are the following ways to stop individual racism:

1. Don’t Take The Abuse
You don't have to accept any form of racist abuse. Everyone, no matter what their nationality or race, has a right to live happily and free from discrimination. Yep, that includes right here in Scotland.

2. Realize That You're Not The One With The Problem
It can be hard because your self-esteem does sometimes take a knock if you're having grief from someone, but the thing you have to remember is that you are not the one to have caused the problem. You’ve done nothing wrong.

3. Keep Some Evidence Of What's Happening
You should write down what's been happening, like a diary of events, for example, and also your thoughts on what you would like to happen. This will be useful to show others that you need help and to what extent it’s affecting you.

4. Be Prepared To Speak Out
Be prepared to speak out and tell people just how it’s affecting your life and your well-being. If you are going to alert someone to the fact that you're being threatened, abused or bullied, then do it properly.

5. Never Give Up!
You might not be able to tackle racism by yourself. Seek out support and accept help where you can.

According to racismfreeedmonton.ca,

Support and participate in initiatives to increase awareness of and combat racism.

Volunteer for an organization that reflects your values and does anti-racist work.

Get involved with boards and community groups to help ensure that they are serving the needs of diverse communities.

Support ways to identify, monitor and respond to acts of racism, such as hate crimes. (Link to the Alberta Government Hate Crimes report)

Racism is a problem that can only diminished by bystanders becoming upstanders and just stand up for it.

Written by Luvish