Racial Bullying

There is very little organized information about racial/ethnic differences in bullying and victimization among young people. Most studies conducted did not correlate their results according to race, and in most cases, ‘race’ was lumped in among the differences that may incite other children to bully a student. According to the few surveys that have looked at race as a factor in either bullying behavior or bullying victims,

• Hispanic youth reported bullying others only marginally more than white or black youth

• Black youth reported being bullied significantly more than white or Hispanic youth.

• African American students were more likely to be nominated as aggressive than Latino and multi-ethnic urban middle school students.

• Asian and white students aged 9 to 15 did not differ with respect to the frequency of bullying others or being bullied. However, the content of the bullying experience was different in that 50 percent of the bullied Asian children were called names because of their skin color while none of the white children experienced this form of bullying.

When bullying takes on racial overtones, it becomes one more instance of discrimination in a child’s life. Often, a hurtful name by a classmate is the first experience that a child has with racism. Racism in a school, whether subtle or open, creates an atmosphere of fear and tension among all students and staff.

Racial Bullying in Schools

Racist bullying in schools can include ill-considered remarks that weren’t intended to be hurtful, but represent a pervasive negative attitude, as well as deliberate acts of bullying that specifically target a student because of his skin color or ethnicity. Children who experience racist bullying are at the same risks of other victims of bullying, including

• Loss of self-esteem

• Difficulty concentrating in school

• Higher risk of depression

• Disruption of schooling

• Fear of going to school

• Feeling unsafe in school

• Dropping out of school to escape the bullying

• Not continuing to higher learning

• Higher risk of suicide

Racist bullying can include any or all of the following characteristics:

• Physical assault

• Derogatory name calling, insults and racist jokes

• Racist graffiti

• Wearing racist badges

• Carrying or distributing racist materials

• Verbal and non-verbal abuse and threats

• Incitement of others to behave in a racist manner

• Racist comments in the course of discussion in lessons

• Attempts to recruit for racial organizations and groups

• Ridicule of an individual for cultural differences

• Refusal to co-operate with other people because of their color, ethnicity or language

• Written derogatory remarks

• Accessing racist material on the Internet.¹

Dealing With Racist Bullying

Because racism presents its own problems, racist bullying should have its own set of responses besides those that are included in a standard bullying intervention program. It is important that all students be made aware of the school’s policy about racism and racist actions and conduct. It is not enough to address bullying on its own – racist bullying should be discussed specifically. Among the ways that that a bullying intervention program can help deal with racist bullying in the school are:

• Teach children to celebrate diversity.

• Openly discuss racial harassment, racism and racial bullying

• Do not tolerate any form of racial slurs, name-calling or attitudes

• Object to racist jokes of any kind.

• Be sure to include discussion of famous people of all races in curriculum

• Include a unit on identifying racist attitudes and diversity at each grade level.

• Intervene immediately to stop any racist bullying that you see.

• Make it clear, especially to older students, that bullying motivated by race is a federal crime in the United States, and that they can go to jail for it.

• Develop a clear policy on dealing with all racial incidents.

When Racism Comes Into the School

Sometimes racism and bullying are ‘imported’ from neighborhoods and the community. There may be racial and gang alliances among your students that get carried over into the classroom and school hallways. School should and must be a safe haven from those conflicts at the very least, and a place where students learn to be more tolerant of others at best. Some ways that schools can promote healing and safety even in communities that are racially tense are:

• Take a firm stand on racism in the school. Make it clear that what’s out there stays out there.

• Do not tolerate any racial slang or terms, even among peer groups and friends.

• Allow students room to form a racial identity, but do not tolerate racial pride that is based on putting down other races.

• Acknowledge racial differences, but do not allow them to rule the school.

• Do not allow any form of gang insignia or signs to be worn inside the school by students.

• If you believe that a child is being targeted for bullying because of their race, talk to them and try to find out what’s going on. Discuss the situation with school administration, and consider calling the student’s parents.

• Above all, involve the entire school in anti-racism efforts. Use anti-bullying prevention tactics to stop bullying the moment you see it.

If You Think A Child Is Being Bullied:

• Talk to your child. Ask questions about their day, how things are going and what they are doing. Ask about specifics – what’s it like for you walking home? Who do you sit with at lunch?

• Contact your school and share your concerns.

• Do not contact the parents of the bullies. It may be difficult to keep things in perspective in a face to face confrontation.

• Do not advise your child to fight back. Do advise them to get away if they’re afraid for their safety.

• Encourage your child to speak to someone at the school about what is going on.

• Discuss interventions with the school, and follow up to be sure that they are being carried out.

• If you believe your child is in physical danger, provide protection by driving them to school or making sure that they aren’t walking home alone.

If Your Child Is the Bully:

• Talk to your child about his or her actions.

• Make it clear to your child that you will not tolerate or condone any racial name-calling, slurs or prejudice.

• Set a good example. Don’t tell racist or ethnic jokes at home.

• Work with the school to help resolve the problem and support any consequences offered by the school.

If You Are Being Bullied Because of Your Race:

• First, always remember that you are not the one with the problem.

• Report the bullying incidents. Even ONE incident that has a racial basis is too many.

• It’s okay to be mad, but don’t try to retaliate. It may get you in trouble, and make it seem that you’re the one causing problems.

• Keep a record of the bullying.

• Talk to your parents or another trusted adult.