Sydney can be seen as Australia’s multicultural epicentre and most notably, western Sydney (2011 Census – Where are the most multicultural communities?, 2012). Western Sydney suburbs such as Auburn, Fairfield, Strathfield and Parramatta have some of the highest proportion of the population who come from non-English speaking backgrounds (2011 Census – Where are the most multicultural communities?, 2012). With figures such as these, we can assume the great diversity of cultures within a small segment of society. However, with a diverse range of cultures within a suburb of Sydney, it can create tensions and give rise to racism which can be illuminated and reflected through institutions such as high schools. Other than school institutions, racism is often identifiable within our society as media highlights racial slurs as a controversial issue.
Earlier this year, a 13 year old girl called Sydney Swans player, Adam Goodes, an “ape” during an AFL football game in Melbourne (Murno, 2013). The incident generated issues of concern towards racism and in particular, whether anti-racism policies within schools were effectively carried out (Murno, 2013). The need for NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell to order the NSW Education Department to reinforce anti-racism policies with support materials within schools to prevent similar events from occurring (Murno, 2013) suggests that the movement towards anti-racism is not highly enforced or recognised.
How some schools may inhibit similar racist incidents include raising awareness of multiculturalism through school events. For example, Lila Mularczky who is NSW Secondary Principals’ Council and is a principal of Merrylands High School stated that cultural diversity is taught through school events such as ‘Harmony Day’ (Murno, 2013). Although schools may acknowledge and teach multiculturalism through school events such as Harmony Day, it does not combat racism. Anti-racism policies that have been put forward by the Education Department for public schools include lessons against online abuse and derogatory language based on an individual’s race or ethnicity (Murno, 2013).
Such anti-racist policy strategies may work but, the wider issue stems from what racism actions students may encounter at home. Recently, in a Sydney private school, a 12 year old boy was abused with anti-Semitic taunts by a fellow pupil within the classroom (Murno, 2013). In agreement with the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief, Vic Alhadeff, he stated that there is a connection between what messages and actions are occurring within the home that is reflected back within schools (Murno, 2013). Furthermore, Mularckzy suggests that actions towards anti-racism is not merely a school issue but, involves the community.
Violence of physical abuse concerning race have been seen within schools. For example, in 2007, intruders walked into Cumberland High School in western Sydney, creating a mass violent brawl that has been caught on camera, with some of the students (Tadros and Patty, 2007). Some recordings of the fight were uploaded onto YouTube with tags such as “Cumberland High Fight – Wogz and Azns” (Tadros et al., 2007). From the title you can assume that the fight occurred between two separate ethnic or racial groups. Students stated that “there was a history of violence between the groups and there were now plans for another fight” (Tadros et al., 2007). The violent brawls were sparked by factors such as race whilst other witnesses believe that the two groups involved had students from different ethnic backgrounds (Tadros et al., 2007).
REFERENCES:
Glen 2012, 2011 Census – Where are the most multicultural communities?, Idblog, accessed 20 September, 2013, <http://blog.id.com.au/2012/australian-census-2011/2011-census-multicultural- communities/>.`
Murno, P 2013, 'Schools to recirculate anti-racism material', Sydney Morning Herald, 27 May, accessed 20 September 2013, <http://www.smh.com.au/national/schools-to-recirculate-antiracism- material-20130526-2n5dv.html#ixzz2fUZNvUvy>.
Tadros, E., and Patty, A 2007, 'Police fear outsiders started YouTube fights', Sydney Morning Herald, 7 March, accessed 20 September 2013, <http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/03/06/1173166697753.html?page=2>.
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