ABSTRACT
This chapter unpacks the nature of racism and its many manifestations in modern society, and the difficulties and distress it causes in learning communities. It examines institutional racism, systemic racism and individual racism. It links systemic racism with governmentality and indicates how policies and curriculum documents are developed to perpetuate the status quo and exclude those without cultural capital. In discussing institutional racism, the chapter highlights the importance of being aware of exclusionary language in school policies negatively impacting newly arrived students. It incorporates the comments of the research participants, their perspectives and the challenges that they face in prompting an inclusive learning environment for students with refugee and asylum-seeker experiences.
