Nick Dennis
Being anti-racist is not some grand project to reform society or schools, but is rooted in the idea of citizenship with all the rights and duties that the designation holds. This is not an idea of what citizenship could be (an ought) but a restating of what citizenship is. Whatever their political hue, governments are judged on their competence in many areas, one being how they deliver on citizenship and ensuring the rule of law is applied. Racism exists and being anti-racist is enshrined in law. Discussing how racism works, how to overcome it and how to ensure against it is a necessary part of our democracy. It is also important that in order to help our students thrive and contribute to our society, they should be aware of these issues. A failure to do so is a failure to safeguard and equip the young people we work with. The purpose here is not, as Robinson suggests, to divide society, but to promote understanding that we are citizens with certain rights, duties and obligations.
