Whiteness in school

Whiteness is a issue that has been discuss and study for a long period of time. Whenever someone talking about whiteness, I always think about racism between people with white skin and people with different skin colours. Because of different skin colours, Australia becomes a nation with unique and cultural diversity society. It comes to advantages and disadvantages as Australia is a multicultural country. One clearly advantage is that with so many cultures present, every citizen can learn outside their own cultural boundaries and respect others’ cultures as they respect their own. On the other hand, Australia could not prevent racism occurs in every corner of the country, it has continued to happen since the time British set their foots on land. I, as one of million people who migrant to Australia looking for a new and exciting life, used to experience the ‘whiteness’ which happened in school. They are some feelings that I can not forget. 

There was a period of time which I felt not belonging in school. As I went to school with lack of English language skill and lack of particular educational experiences, I was left out of white people group. I tried to be friend with them and participated in help centre to improve my English level but no matter how hard I tried, I felt they were also trying to make a bigger barrier between me and them. Time passed and there was no development so I gave up. For me, it was more easy to join group with other non-English speaking background students like me. I think people easy to get along with other have the same skin colours, especially same language backgrounds. ‘Whiteness’ is such a big word which lead to racism in Australia. It affects our learning outcomes as it let us feel isolated and no friend for you to share and learn. 

‘whiteness’ could affect deeply into our lives, how does it stop us from sharing, learning others’ cultures and respect them? Although everybody has different skin colours or hair colours or any other different appearances, but we are all the same inside. We share a common space to connect to each others and proud to be a nation with cultural diversity. We, as the younger generations, have to decrease any form of ‘whiteness’ which leads to inequalities and racism. 

Reference: 

Fozdar F, Wilding R & Hawkins M, 2009, Race and ethnic relations, Oxford University Press, Australian & New Zealand, Chapter 10: Whiteness studies, p.179-195