SVGC - 21st March 21

instapoemsagainstracial discrimination

Source: https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/

Racism takes many forms and can happen in many places. It means treating someone poorly because of their skin colour, ethnicity or where they come from. This could be harassment, abuse or humiliation – but it may not always involve violent or intimidating behaviour. Name-calling and hurtful jokes can be a form of racism, and so can excluding people from groups or activities. Racism can take place in many situations. It can happen in a public space, like on the sports field or at work. It could also be online, or something you see in the media. Racism can be revealed through people’s attitudes, as well as their words or actions. It can also be reflected in systems and institutions. But sometimes it may not be visible at all. Not all racism is obvious. For example, someone may look through a list of job applicants and decide not to interview those with certain surnames. Racism includes all the barriers that prevent people from enjoying dignity and equality because of their race.

What is racism?

Source: https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/

Racism can happen just about anywhere. It is most frequently experienced in public places such as a person’s neighbourhood, at the shops, or in the workplace. It is also commonly experienced on public transport, at sporting events or in schools. Expressions of racism can also be found in media. This happens when, for example, racial groups are represented in an unfair or negative light in news reports commentary, or in entertainment programs. Many people regard the lack of cultural diversity in media organisations and on television, radio and in film as another form of racism. In recent years, racism has become a particular problem online. This includes offensive comments on social media, and inflammatory memes or hateful videos shared online. Cyber-racism has contributed to the growth of racist attitudes, and people spreading racist messages often do so on the internet with the benefit of anonymity.

Where does it happen?

Source: https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/

Unconscious bias is an attitude towards a person, or a group of people, which we may not even aware of. It can be a favourable attitude, where we form positive impressions based on someone’s skin colour, surname or where they come from. Or it can be unfavourable, with negative impressions. Unconscious bias is sometimes called a hidden bias because it’s hard to detect, even in ourselves, but most people do hold some bias of one kind or another. Researchers at Harvard University developed a method to help detect unconscious bias. It’s called the Implicit Association Test, and it’s available for anyone to take online. Unconscious bias can lead to unfair outcomes for some people if it’s not addressed, particularly when it appears in organisations like schools, sports teams or workplaces. It can mean some people get preferential treatment compared to others. That’s why it’s important for organisations to have strategies in place that can address unconscious bias.

UNCONSCIOUS BIAS

The New York Times

IMPLICIT BIAS

There are many forms of privilege including race, sex, ability, and socioeconomic status. Acknowledging privilege is about recognising that the systems and institutions of our society are designed from the perspectives of those from certain groups, and not others.

Source: https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/

Privilege is defined as a special right, advantage, or protection, which is only available to some people, or groups of people. Having privilege does not mean you have had an easy life. Nor does it mean you haven’t had to work hard for your achievements: it just means your skin colour or ethnic background was not one of the barriers you had to overcome.Specific examples of how privilege plays out in our society include:

• Turning on the television and seeing people of your race widely represented.
• Moving through life without being racially profiled or unfairly stereotyped.
• Walking into a store and finding that the main displays of shampoo and band aids cater to your hair type and skin tone.
• Not needing to prove you are part of the organisational culture of your workplace.

PRIVILEGE

Source: https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/

People aren’t born with racist ideas or opinions. Racism is learned. Racist attitudes are sometimes related to fear and anxiety. Some people worry that other groups pose a threat, whether to community safety or national identity. Racism can also relate to people feeling like they need to belong or identify with their own group. People sometimes express racism as a way of differentiating or excluding others. Ignorance can also play a part in feeding people’s attitudes about race. Often, as people learn more about other racial or cultural groups, their ideas begin to change. Racism isn’t always malicious. Sometimes the harm of racism can be done innocently, because a person does not realise the impact their words or actions may have. There are still a small minority of people who believe that some races are superior to others.

Why?

THE HATE U GIVE

FURTHER READING

INTERNATIONAL DAYFOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

21st march

WORLD POETRY DAY

Instapoems tend to have a few lines and are accompanied by a photograph or a drawing.

Instapoetry is a subgenre of poetry meant to be shared on social media, especially Instagram.

INSTAPOETRY

Elizabeth Burnam

[...] the visual aesthetic, bite-sized messages, and simplified language may have captured the voice and tone of a generation with stagnant reading scores and declining attention spans.

Success

stop & think

deeply emotional

amusing

profound

What is being communicated?

POETRY

meaningful for you

Every word counts: choose it carefully!

vivid images

comparisons

descriptive words

No room for wasted words!

How is it being communicated?

POETRY

WRITE AN INSTAPOEM

THANK YOU!