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Wheel of DiscriminationInstitutional Racism

Theme: Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders - Australian history and race relations - Racism in Australia
Key Learning Area: English - Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE)
Age Group: Secondary Lower (13-14) - Secondary Middle (15-16) Resource Type: Graphs and charts Stimulus Name: Wheel of discrimination, McConnochie K, Hollinsworth D & Pettman J, Social Science Press, 1998.

Outcomes

Students identify important Students define institutional racism and consider its effects on various groups in society. of their identities and consider associated stereotyping. Students examine some stereotype clichés and explore their origins.

Introduction

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 to download
Teacher's notes (rtf File)
Worksheet 1: Wheel of discrimination (rtf File)
Worksheet 2: Face the facts (rtf File)

Resources Needed
Worksheets
OHP pens and transparencies

Suggested Activities

  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. Refer to the interactive Wheel of Discrimination
  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.
Additional Strategies

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.

Related Resources

SHIMAN David A. & McLEAN Barbara J The Prejudice Book, Common Ground, Sydney

Relevant websites to visit
Wheel of Discrimination
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

Copyright Acknowledgement
Wheel of Discrimination from:
Race and Racism in Australia,McConnochie K, Hollinsworth D and Pettman J.
Social Science Press, Wentworth Falls, 1998.

Date: 26 July 2002