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How can educators incorporate prejudice reduction techniques into their curriculum to combat racism and discrimination?

Hillery Softley

As a user of social media, I think it's pretty evident that educators need to take a step towards combating racism and discrimination inside their classrooms. It is hard to comprehend how racism and discrimination still exist today, and it's second nature to a lot of people. However, we need to remember that hate is taught, not born. Therefore, it's crucial to understand that educators can play a significant role in promoting tolerance, respect, and equality in their curriculum.

Firstly, an educator should confront their awareness of prejudices and discrimination. An educator can take some time to educate themselves on various societal and cultural issues. They can begin by reading books or articles like "How to Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi, or "White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo. These books can help an educator understand how prejudice, racism, and discrimination manifest themselves and how to eradicate these tendencies towards these issues.

Secondly, educators should make a conscious effort to acknowledge the diverse qualities of every individual within their classroom. An educator should recognize and respect the cultural, linguistic, religious, and ethnic differences among their students. An excellent way to infuse cultural competence into the curriculum would be to expose students to different cultures and backgrounds. This can be achieved by having cultural presentations, inviting guest speakers/performers to the classroom, or showcasing different foods and clothing items unique to a particular culture.

Thirdly, it's important to incorporate anti-racism texts and activities into the curriculum. An instructor can use books, articles, or even a short film as a teaching tool to bring anti-racist and anti-discriminatory attitudes to the forefront of the classroom. Additionally, educators can also incorporate discussions and activities that are anti-bias and that promote equality and mutual respect.

Fourthly, educators should be proactive about creating a safe and inclusive classroom environment. It is the foundation of students being able to learn and make progress. It's essential to emphasize on an inclusive and welcoming classroom environment for students who come from marginalized backgrounds. Teachers should check-in with students regularly through small group meetings, private conversations, and collaborative work to ensure their students are comfortable in class.

Lastly, it's essential to recognize that teaching about anti-racism and discrimination should start at an earlier age. Over the years, organizations have developed programs that can help educate school communities about culture, tolerance, and inclusion. For instance, the "Teaching Tolerance" program is an excellent example of an anti-bias organization whose resources can be utilized by educators to help teach the curriculum.

In conclusion, it's crucial to understand that anti-racism work never stops. The journey towards creating a more equitable and inclusive society must start in classrooms. Educators must make a conscious effort to incorporate prejudice reduction techniques to combat racism and discrimination in their curriculum. We have a responsibility to create a better future by tackling prejudice and promoting tolerance, diversity, and inclusion in classrooms.