In recent years, racist expressions have been on the rise in Israeli society. Hardly a day passes without a media report on a serious racist incident. Like everywhere else in the world, marginalized groups in society are the main victims of this phenomenon. Most of the recent reports have depicted racism towards Arabs, haredim, migrant workers, women and Ethiopians. Racial viewpoints also exist within these groups, such as the racism directed towards blacks and other majority groups from segments within Arab communities.
Manifestations of racism should concern us all. But what should worry us more than these worldviews is the undercurrents of racism that is hidden and is particularly difficult to expose and contend with. This is especially the case with regards to socio-economic and political forces that raise racist sentiments in society. It is important to remember that people are not born racist.
Education against racism is actually education towards democratic values, education for multiculturalism and tolerance and human rights education. Education against racism also includes a process of learning that racism is a social phenomenon that harms the values of democracy and human rights and incorporates the insight that it is the role of each and every person to fight for its eradication. It is an important educational process that causes a person to take a look at himself, both in one’s immediate vicinity and in the various social circles that surround him. Such an process is significant in that it enhances each student’s critical instincts and encourages him to take an active part in the struggle against racist worldviews.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination takes places each year on March 21, and this year will be observed in schools in Israel on March 10, prior to the Passover holidays. The day is a meaningful opportunity for dialogue around the theme of racism in Israeli society today. In marking this day in schools, there is an opportunity to make a clear statement condemning racism. It is a chance to take stock and look inwards at ourselves, because racism is found everywhere. In marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination at schools, we contribute to raising awareness of the need for comprehensive and ongoing educational programs that could work to repel this phenomenon. Activities in schools to mark this day may encourage more serious educational programs within the education system.
Beyond observing this day, anti-racism education must become an integral part of every educational act in schools, rather than just a once-off event. Such value-based education should be intertwined with all the various school subjects, social education and in the general school environment. We believe that every teacher needs to see himself as an educator against racism.
ACRI has designed a kit, primarily for social education coordinators, class teachers and informal education guides. It is one amongst a number of resources on different subjects that will appear in the coming months, the aim of which is to encourage teachers in different subjects to take part in anti-racism education.
The kit is made up of 2 major components:
1. The first part is intended for coordinators and includes ideas for anti-racism activities in social education.
2. The second part is intended for class teachers and informal education guides and includes hours of educational activities. Activities designed for ages ranging from pre-school to high school can be found here.
We hope that this package will contribute to the important action of anti-racism education in your school. We welcome all feedback about the content of the kit.
We hope you’ll find this helpful.
Education Division, Association for Civil Rights in Israel
To browse through the educational pack, including all the different planned activities (in Hebrew), click here.
