Racism in Schools
Children go to school to learn, not to be bullied with racism. Here we discuss a case of racism in the classroom and address possible effects. If you know of a school or organization that would benefit from DEI education, contact us!
School teachers and officials have a duty of care to protect the children in their charge. But what happens when teachers witness racist bullying and do nothing, or commit the atrocities themselves? Let’s look at a case of racism in schools.
One Piece of a Much Larger Puzzle
We entrust our children’s safety, well-being, and futures to the adults in their care. However, those adults don’t always have the children’s best interests at heart.
For example, a teacher was caught on film writing racist terms on a whiteboard while instructing students at Crawford International - Pretoria, a costly private school. According to News 24 in South Africa, “Video footage shows the woman writing racially offensive terms on a whiteboard and allegedly telling pupils that they are not affected by apartheid.”?
The teacher was subsequently dismissed, and the school’s principal, Cheryl Naidoo, said she was "shocked and dismayed" and "deeply regrets the unacceptable racist incident." The school also denounced any form of prejudice and discrimination and plans to take legal action against the teacher. While the school’s response was swift, we have to wonder what actions are in place to prevent recurrence or if suitable staff vetting procedures are in place. The article states that the school will “review its recruitment measures to avoid enlisting candidates who may potentially threaten the delivery of quality education and learning."?
This is vital, but it is only one piece of a much larger puzzle. In such a racially charged country, schools should be taking more stringent, preventative steps before such incidents have the chance to occur. Current staff should also be vetted. And, DEI training should be mandatory.
While this incident occurred in South Africa, the issue is more widespread than you may think. In the U.S., CNN reports that the Government Accountability Office estimated that 5.2 million students aged 12 to 18 were bullied in the 2018-2019 school year. One in four experienced bullying related to their race, national origin, religion, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. The report also states, “The number of schools that experienced a hate crime nearly doubled between the 2015-16 and 2017-18 school years.”
Parents want their children to be safe and happy in schools so they can receive an education in peace. Too many incidents happen worldwide that put children’s education and long-term well-being at risk.
Effects
According to Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child, “When children’s stress response systems remain activated at high levels for long periods, it can have a significant wear-and-tear effect on their developing brains and other biological systems. This can have lifelong effects on learning, behavior, and both physical and mental health… evidence connects this concept of chronic wear and tear to racism.”
So evidence has shown that experiencing and witnessing racism is harmful to children. It leaves a lasting negative impact. Tackling racism is necessary to protect children, our future.?
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And, Erica Lee, attending psychologist at Boston Children’s Hospital, states, “Children can internalize harmful stereotypes. Over time experiencing or witnessing discrimination can negatively impact a child’s identity and self-esteem.”?
Furthermore, Boston Children’s Hospital goes on to explain that exposure to racism can have lasting effects on physical and mental health. “When asked to recall a racist event they’d witnessed as a child, young adults had stress responses comparable to first responders after major disasters. Over time, the hormones the body releases under stress can damage a child’s physical and emotional health.”
In recognition of the harmful effects of racism, Crawford International - Pretoria is offering counseling to all students. Ideally, each and every student would attend counseling sessions, instead of just having the option.?
Of course, counseling after the fact is necessary. But prevention is key. We must create environments where all children are safe, supported, and equal. We can help schools with that. We offer services to teach DEI practices to schools and organizations to help shape a future where no child experiences racism at school. It’s never too late to learn, even for educators.
But what can parents do to try to protect their children from racism in schools?
Actions to Take
No one wants to imagine their child being the victim of racism, but it’s an unfortunate reality for far too many. While we may be unable to prevent all racist incidents, we can work together to give our children the tools to confront discrimination. UNICEF says that it’s important to talk to your children about racism and has shared an age-appropriate guide to help parents do so.
If you or someone you care about has been the victim of racism, discrimination, or a hate crime, the following are some good resources:
Discrimination, racism, and bullying are always wrong. Contact a local civil rights attorney or any of the above resources if you need help.
If you know of a school, teacher, or organization that could benefit from education in DEI practices, please contact us and we’ll reach out.