Addressing Racism in Peruvian Schools

 What is racism? 

Racism is a way of prejudice that assumes that the members of racial categories have distinctive characteristics and that these differences make them inferior. This refers to the differential treatment of the members of different ethnic, religious, national, or other groups. 

As we know, the laws of our country are against the ideas of racism and discrimination. However, as a society, do we care about it? Not enough.

Should this happen? No, there are still a lot of stereotypes; violence on a governmental scale can be a major consequence. While many people are happy to embrace diversity and appreciate the differences between those of different religions and colors, many others see those of other races as a threat and the effect of this intolerance on our society can have far-reaching consequences. When racial discrimination occurs at a national level, we see atrocities such as ethnic cleansing, persecution, discrimination through the judicial system, and detrimental segregation laws. There is no denying that racism can be devastating to the culture and well-being of a country, causing economic and moral upheaval. If hatred can thrive within a society, its adverse effects stretch through every part of everyday life.

Do we grow up surrounded by racism?
Since we grew up in a structurally racist country and have been taught by an educational system that does little to prepare us to face it, we have been surrounded by the deplorable ideology of racism from a very young age. As if that wasn’t alarming enough, racist ideas are often reinforced in schools, one of the environments in which we are supposed to feel safe in. 

Racism in schools:
Racism in schools is a significant issue in Peru, particularly affecting indigenous and Afro-Peruvian students. These students are often subjected to discrimination, bullying, and stereotyping by their peers and teachers. This can lead to lower academic performance, reduced self-esteem, and negative mental health outcomes. In many cases, teachers and school officials may perpetuate racial biases and discrimination, further contributing to the problem. Indigenous and Afro-Peruvian students may also face barriers to education, such as limited access to quality schools and resources, language barriers, and cultural misunderstandings.

How can we stop racism in schools?
Many things need to be done at school in order to provide a safe environment for children. Students should not be worrying about whether or not they will be secluded due to their ethnicity, for example. But, what can be done? It is crucial that institutions include the teaching of values such as respect and tolerance. Teachers must be capacitated on the topic as well. If they are not, they could be the ones spreading harmful ideas. Besides, teamwork should be assigned to students so that they learn to collaborate with those near them, in spite of their differences.

"Racist ideas are not only in schools but also across all areas of society such as politics, culture, and the economy. They produce poverty and normalize inequality". (Avilés, 1978)

References:

El Comercio. (2022, August 15). Discriminación escolar, un problema de nunca acabar: ¿Qué es y cómo podemos evitarla?. [News]. Retrieved from https://elcomercio.pe/corresponsales-escolares/historias/discriminacion-escolar-un-problema-de-nunca-acabar-que-es-y-como-podemos-evitarla-bullying-acoso-escolar-noticia/

El Peruano. (n.d.). Capacitan a docentes para promover lucha contra la discriminación y la xenofobia. [News]. Retrieved from https://elperuano.pe/noticia/192190-capacitan-a-docentes-para-promover-lucha-contra-la-discriminacion-y-la-xenofobia 

Racism and Its Effect - Be United. (n.d.). [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.be-utd.org/racism_effect.html