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Lesson ideas

Institutional Racism

Students define institutional racism and consider its effects on various groups in society.

This activity needs to handled sensitively to ensure that negative stereotypes and myths relating to groups disadvantaged by institutional racism are not reinforced. The aim of the activity is to examine the underlying causes of the disadvantage experienced by some groups living in Australia. Teachers need to set clear parameters for class and group work. Teachers may also like to involve Indigenous staff and include the personal testimonies of Indigenous people.

Worksheets
OHP pens and transparencies

1. What is an institution?
2. Name key institutions in Australian society.
3. What is institutional racism? See factsheet on Institutional racism.
4. Write a definition of institutional racism.
5. Download worksheet Wheel of discrimination. Consider how racism in a range of social institutions e.g. health, education, employment, can compound disadvantage for particular groups.
6. Discuss whether Australian institutions have had positive or negative effects on Indigenous people.
7. Download Face the facts worksheet and cut into five issues:
   • Health
   • Education
   • Employment
   • Housing
   • Criminal justice
   Divide class into five groups. Distribute an issue, overhead projection pen (OHP) pen and a transparency to each group. Each group is asked to:
   • Discuss their issue, familiarise themselves with the facts and research for further information.
   • Consider whether their facts are examples of institutional racism and why.
   • Elect a recorder who summarises main points on an OHP transparency.
   • Present their findings to the class.

Further research:
Which other groups besides Indigenous Australians have experienced institutional racism in Australia? (See Teacher's notes).
Students research individually or in groups and report back to class.

Facts about Indigenous people jigsaw
Webquest: Federation for all?
Tripcony, Penny, The Commonwealth Referendum of 1967 and Australian Indigenous Citizenship: An interpretation of historical events.
State Library of Queensland, Stolen Generations