We aren't born racist, we are taught it

I am an education major, and more and more through school I realize the incredible impact ones education has on them. In my multicultural education class we talk a lot about how racism and segregation and things like are often times learned in schools. People may not realize it or do it intentionally, but so many of the standardized tests are geared to fit the average white student, and draw on the life experiences many Caucasians have. Another example is in the books we read in school. So many of the books we read are also geared towards the average white American student. This becomes a problem when a certain "norm" is enforced within education, and allows students from an early age to become closed minded and see others differences as wrong or inferior. Teachers who aren't even racist could be enforcing these stereotypes and ideas without even realizing it. Education has such a huge impact in a persons life and is a huge factor in what shapes their beliefs. No school actually flat out teaches children to be racist, but its the small, "behind the scenes" factors that have such a huge impact. If people became aware of the negative message a lot of books, movies, tests, shows, etc, give to kids, I think it would help diminish racism in the long run.

Post #4
Brigit May