The unreal prospect of unteaching racism
Monday, 5 July 2021
OPINION: Teachers and school leaders are currently trying to get their heads around the Teaching Council’s latest initiative–Unteach Racism.
Recently released using a video monologue from Taika Waititi–of Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Thor Ragnorok fame–Unteach Racism expects all teachers to demonstrate Thor-like fortitude to address what has been historically one of humanity's more divisive topics–racism.
Racism isn’t what it used to be.
In recent years there has been a move away from characterising actual people and groups as racists towards seeing our social system as fundamentally racist.
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Systemic racism–as this phenomenon is known–refers to the societal forces that favour certain racial groups. The argument for systemic racism has been advanced by a host of popular books including White Fragility by Robyn DiAngelo in which the privilege experienced by white people emerges as the great injustice of our time.
The argument for systemic racism in New Zealand is built on several premises. The first is that Pākehā have been responsible for establishing societal structures and therefore benefit at the expense of other groups.
Herein we find the first issue that teachers will find problematic to navigate–it is not obvious that Pākehā have been intentionally manipulating society to suit themselves. There are ethnic groups in New Zealand, many who start from humble beginnings, that not only do better than Māori and Pasifika but also do better than Pākehā too.
The second argument for systemic racism is that the unconscious bias of Pākehā causes them to act in ways that oppress Māori and other racial minority groups. Unconscious bias (implicit bias is the correct psychological term) refers to those attitudes and stereotypes we all hold but don’t know about.
Yes, racism is real, happens today, and should be addressed in schools when it can be seen and heard.
Yet this latest form of racism that teachers must address can’t even be seen because apparently it is so deep in our psyche that we don’t know it is there. Unconscious bias is hard to define and identify, meaning it will be very difficult to teach. And, we thought getting algebra across to kids was tricky.
I expect that Unteaching Racism is founded on the good motive of addressing disparities in New Zealand society. However, the disparate outcomes we can see do not necessarily mean that New Zealand society is fundamentally racist or proves that there are less opportunities for some groups.
Growing up in Auckland I had much the same opportunity as a number of athletes who have grown up near me and have developed their talent to a point where they have gone to the Olympics. Alas, my athletic career has not moved past the status of keen amateur. Same opportunities, different outcome.
Life outcomes are far more complex than the sum of opportunities that we have or haven’t received. This points towards the great elephant in our classrooms. What about the opportunities that all New Zealanders do have? What about New Zealand privilege?
The pristine environment, a comparatively accessible social welfare system, free public education, and cultural icons to be proud of like our beaches, The All Blacks and Taika Waititi movies. If there is a list of great privileges in the world, living in New Zealand should be one of them.
In 2018, I had the chance to work with a school in rural India. After returning from two trips to the sub-continent (pre-Covid) I remember feeling a great sense of privilege just because New Zealand is my home.
The decile two South Auckland school where I work has exponentially more resources compared with schools in India. And yes, I can see the difference between conditions in low decile schools and those at a nearby private school, but it is nothing like the colossal gap between any New Zealand low-decile school and those schools in the villages of rural Andhra Pradesh.
As part of the current wellbeing movement we are told that gratitude is key to a happy and meaningful life. It is here that perhaps the greatest concern lies with regard to unteaching racism.
We are going to miss all that we have achieved as a nation, while descending into a state of introspection that encourages people to resent one another.
Young people in Aotearoa are living in a less segregated, more affluent, more culturally aware society than ever before.
Our teachers should be motivating our rangatahi of all cultural backgrounds by focusing on our progress and the many reasons young people of all racial groups can realise their potential in our wonderful country.
Dr Paul Crowhurst is Principal at Papatoetoe East Primary School in Auckland. He also teaches educational leadership at post-graduate level. All views shared here are his own.
Editor’s note: In response to this column, we will be publishing a different opinion from an educator on Friday, 16 July. We're also reviewing Stuff’s process behind publishing this article to determine if it aligns with our company charter and editorial code of practice and ethics.