Discrimination/racism at school – speech

It’s cruel, it’s mean and it’s wrong. Yes it’s racism.
And I’m here to make it change!

Good morning ladies. My name is Rihab and today I’m going to talk about what racism is
and how you can change it.

Racism is one of the biggest problems in the world right now and it really shouldn’t be. So
what exactly is it…
Racism is hate towards people simply because of their differences: race, culture and
religion. It’s a problem everywhere in the world and in some countries it’s strictly illegal to
treat someone racist. Racism is the wrong belief that some people are better and superior to
others due to their genetic trait corresponding to their skin colour, race, origin and ethnicity.
It’s the enemy of freedom and should be washed away from society.

Racism makes people feel sorry for being born a certain way, of having a particular skin
colour. Racism has no scientific explanation, and the racist people are entirely ignorant
about the feelings of other human beings.
No one can choose to be black, white, dark, fair, or anything in particular. God has made us,
and there is nothing that should make us feel guilty for that. It is ridiculous and inhumane to
make fun of people due to their cultural background or colour of skin.

Racism can take many forms, such as jokes or comments that cause offence or hurt,
sometimes unintentionally; name-calling or verbal abuse; harassment or intimidation, or
commentary in the media or online that inflames hostility towards certain groups.
At its most serious, racism can result in acts of physical abuse and violence.
Racism can directly or indirectly exclude people from accessing services or participating in
employment, education, sport and social activities.

It’s because of insults and fights that some kids just over thirteen try to commit suicide.
Because the worst thing is when you think you are wrong. I swear it’s one of the worst things
in life. It happened to me when I was in middle school. I felt discriminated against because
my classmates were racist so I always thought that the problem was me but actually it wasn’t
me, they were the problem. Middle school was the darkest time of my life! But it’s because of
that experience that I’m strong now and I know I can’t trust anyone...

Children feel racism and experience it badly, and for some it becomes a real obstacle to their
school career, to their self-esteem, and the damage can become irreparable if the problem is
not dealt with properly.
So we must correct people and not let casual racist comments pass when we hear them.
Schools have a decisive role to play, which must develop in young people's respect for
others and educate them to live in a multiracial society.
The word man is a simple word but full of meaning: Chinese, blacks, are men, just like us,
with the same right to dream, to think and to have a social life.

So why are people racist?

Racism is a learned behavior and it’s not something we’re born with. For example if you lived
in a non racist environment you would just naturally be less racist or the other way around.
But if we are educated in racist ideas, we can adopt attitudes of rejection towards people
who are different in colour, physical appearance and lifestyle.

Racism has always existed, since ancient times, for political, religious, cultural and social
reasons. It was based on the belief that the difference in skin colour meant intellectual
inferiority, so for example Hitler exterminated the Jews as inferior; Jews were persecuted
and hated; killed in concentration camps during the Second World War.

As president Zimbabwe said: ,,Racism will never end as long as white cars are still using
black tyres. Racism will never end if people still use black to symbolize bad luck and white
for peace. Racism will never end if people still wear white clothes for weddings and black
clothes to funerals.”

So I wish all racists not to remain racists forever.