I saw a poll being run by a television show yesterday, asking viewers to vote as to whether or not they believe Australia is a racist nation. This was following yet another attack on an Australian citizen of Indian descent. I didn’t vote but it got me thinking about Australia’s current attitude towards multiculturalism and where our future lay in this respect.
Growing up in the 1970’s as an Aboriginal child, I can well relate to children of minority cultures trying to fit into the mainstream Australian culture. As a teacher, I am very mindful of that and the variety of cultural backgrounds of my students and incorporating these perspectives into my teaching and learning program. I am also very considerate of allowing my students to identify themselves culturally, encouraging them to be proud of that identity and promoting their cultural ties to Australia. We have a lot of discussions and learning experiences about what it means in the modern day to be Australian and how that has changed over time.
I don’t think that I am unique. I know a lot of teachers who operate in the same, or a similar, way. If they didn’t, they would be going against the NSW DET’s (Department of Education and Training) policies and procedures in this respect. In fact, the NSW DET, on paper, is extremely respectful of our multicultural nation with a variety of programs on offer: for example, ESL (English as a Second Language) education and Refugee Support. All these programs, according to the NSW DET, enables students to ‘develop understanding of cultural, linguistic and religious differences’ and to develop ‘the knowledge and skills required for their successful participation in a culturally and linguistically diverse community’.
Furthermore, the NSW DET has an anti-racism policy to support these education programs, which ‘rejects all forms of racism’ and is ‘committed to the elimination of racial discrimination’.
The real education begins at home though. Children are easily influenced by the attitudes and opinions of the adults around them and just as easily absorb negative stereotypes and behaviours as they do the positive ones. Racism is generally borne out of the fear of the unknown, so get to know the various cultures present in your child’s life: not the stereotypes but the true culture of song, language, customs, traditions and religious beliefs, to name a few aspects. Accept people for who they are as individuals, not for what they represent culturally, and your child will do the same. The key to Australia’s future in terms of multiculturalism is acceptance and respect, and parents/caregivers have a large role to play in starting this at home.
About the author
Helen Empacher holds qualifications in Diploma of Teaching (Primary) as well as a Bachelor of Education (Primary), both received at Sydney College of Advanced Education (now part of Sydney University).
She has been teaching since 1992, mostly in Sydney schools and has also had two years teaching experience in London schools. She has in 2009, just been promoted to the role of Assistant Principal and is employed by the Department of Education and Training, New South Wales.
Helen’s philosophy is that children are magnificent! She believes that ALL children have a right to free, quality education which empowers them for future choices. Helen also has a strong conviction that it is our job as parents and teachers to guide and support our children in their learning about the world. Helen is also a mother of two boys aged 10 and 7.
Read more from Helen Empacher
Well, i believe that multiculturalism is the appreciation and acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographics of specific place, usually at the organisational level. For e.g. schools, businesses, neighborhood, cities or nations.
Posted by mizzy agi on February 5, 2012 at 9:25 pm