http://www.kwwl.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=4563799&h1=You%27ve%20Got%20Class%3ARacism%20and%20Bullying&vt1=v&at1=Station 9&d1=156067&LaunchPageAdTag=Search Results&activePane=info&rnd=30868717
I saw this segment this past week on the KWWL News. I thought it was inspirng to see these children who want to make a difference in the Waterloo school district. They did a survey of middle schools in the area, to talk about if they see racism and bullying in their schools, the numbers were shocking. A lot of children who took the survey, also said that they wanted to learn more about racism, so they are teaming up with the Human Rights Council to implement programs in area schools, they found out that talking about these issues, need to happen in early middle school rather than highschool.
I read an article that talked about the implicit attitudes that happen from children who are 6, 10, and adults. This test showed that children as young as six have negative attitudes towards other races. They might not know why they have these attitudes, but the fact that this starts as early as the age of six seems disheartening. I think that interventions need happen earlier than middle school. If certain children are being discriminated against this early than dealing with it when it already is happening won't help those children. There needs to be more preventative measures when dealing with racism and bullying in schools.
In a study done by Major and O'Brien, 2005, about the social psychology of stigma, shows the effects that being stigmatized against can have on someone. The article says that stigma has been linked to poor mental health, physical illness, academic underachievement, infant mortality, low social status, poverty, and reduced access to housing, education, and jobs (Allison 1998, Braddock and McPartland 1987, Clark et. al 1999, Yinger 1994). Some of these ideas don't affect the children right now, it can in their future. I think it's a good thing that these children are trying to do something now and with other children who are their age, but instead of dealing with a problem that is currently happening to children at that age, I think that doing more on the prevention side of things would be beneficial in the long run when dealing with racism and bullying in schools.
I completely agree Lindsay, schools need to implement these programs prior to middle school. It's always easier to teach younger groups of children because their attitudes and beliefs are much more malleable thank those of teenagers and adults. It is terrible that these kids are being bullied and dicriminated against but the fact that they are interested in learning more about racism is an encouraging sign. It will be interesting to see the results of the programs being implemented at these middle schools.
I agree with Elizabeth and Lindsay, the question that arises to me is; if middle school student see this as and issue and a problem. Then how in the hell can UNI Administration or City officials not see it, the thing is that most people seem to say is "I'm not a minority so I don't see it." You don't have to be a minority to see it, it is the discrimination that most people have face such as having handicaps, disabilities, ageism, sexism, racism,and prejudice,etc. I truly understand that it is a subject that most people don't like to talk about or denial in seeing that it is because it is happening. we have to face the issue together in order to fix it despite are age, education level, or position.