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Brief explanation of some aspects of the course
The course consists of one session a week for six
weeks. The course is modified or tailored to the audience that will
take part. It has been welcomes by all schools and departments that
had taken part, and most schools have requested its return at a
larger scale for the following term. Teachers and pupils notice a
difference in conduct following the course.
We all carry cultural/racial stereotypes-from which
racism can root from. We carry them in relation to our own culture;
therefore it is even more likely that we carry them for cultures
that are distanced from our everyday experience. For this reason ALL
major races, cultures, religions and creeds are covered—racism
against white individuals can take place too, if a majority of
another race arises in for example a football game in a school
playground, or at a business run by a majority of a different race.
This comprehensive course attempts to illustrate the
danger of racism, and reasons to help remove it from society.
The course with adults, notably education department
staff, contains more active participation and brainstorming. Surveys
are suggested and feedback from schoolchildren and their parents are
taken to be essential. Standards and levels of tolerance are
discussed; tolerance is discussed in conjunction with intentional
and unintentional racism. The key is one learns from mistakes.
Members of staff are always present when pupils are participating in
the course, hence they too can learn how to reemphasize certain
techniques at later stages if needed.
At the end of the course participants are rewarded
for their hard work, and are presented with certificates at a
special ceremony. Often schools will take the work from this course
further, some produce posters and display work inspired by the Race
and Cultural Awareness Course.
The topic “ What is racism” is a discussion where
firstly participants suggest what they define to be racism. This is
built upon until a broad range of the forms of racism are listed.
They are further categorized as Personal, Cultural, and
Institutional. Each type is discussed, further examples shown, and
reasons for their arrival are discussed. Then ways of preventing,
combating and educating against this are suggested. One key feature
of many topics in this course is that the participants discuss the
topic themselves first, this active participation especially in the
recognizing and also the combating racism, will help build the
ability to combat racism in all sorts of situations. This is not
just about the class room or playground, but for all sorts of
situations, even in the participants working life, their experiences
from the race and cultural awareness course will build a base for
better morality and thought and consideration for others. Bullying
and Violence is also covered, and the active participation will help
both pupils and staff to think for themselves, as well as implement
theories they have learnt from the course specific to the situation.
The approach of this course is to raise the awareness of what to
look for if racism is suspected and what is needed to stop such a
thing.
One Topic covered in the course is:
"Is
Racism always on Purpose?"
Often, especially within young children,
unintentional racism takes place, perhaps subconsciously or they do
not understand what they are doing is wrong or hurting ones
feelings. This topic covers this area, highlighting racist
traditions, sayings etc. Unintentional racism or prejudice maybe due
to ignorance, lack of knowledge upon a specific cultural or
religious tradition, or mistaken beliefs. Adults, or even school
staff can do this. The Race and Cultural Awareness course it not
designed to simply combat racist bullying etc, but also day-to-day
class room activity and general social conduct of the children who
will be the society of tomorrow, and the school staff who are the
role models.
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