Ethnic group
A group of people, racially or historically connected, having a common and distinctive culture. Most groups prefer to be described a communities. It is offensive to Aboriginal people to be described as ethnic.
Ethnocentricism
The belief in the inherent superiority of one's own group and culture accompanied by a feeling of contempt for other groups and cultures.
Racism
The assumption of superiority of one group over another, based on real or perceived racial characteristics and/ or culture. Examples of demonstrated behaviours: demeaning and excluding individuals and/ or groups; prejudices and fears based on real or assumed stereotypes and ignorance.
Racial discrimination
Treatment which unfairly disadvantages people on the basis of negative attitudes and assumptions about their cultural backgrounds, colour, country of origin, ancestry, nationality and physiological characteristics.
Examples of demonstrated behaviours
Denial of access to employment, promotion, accommodation, banking services or school subject choices; focusing on the person not the problem or issue in a dispute or teachers having low expectations of achievement for a particular student.
Racial harassment
Racial harassment is one aspect of racial discrimination. It consists of acts or behaviours with a racial insinuation which are insulting, offensive, demeaning, humiliating or intimidating.
Examples of demonstrated behaviours
Name calling, graffiti, ridicule, put down jokes, pushing, shoving, bullying. Attacks of physical violence are described as assault and therefore are criminal offences.
Institutional racism
Various minority groups are not represented in an institutional framework. In schools this may be apparent in curriculum materials.
Medical and health care
Supportive school communities
Introduction